Coinbase Faces Insider Trading Lawsuit as Delaware Judge Allows Case to Proceed

A Delaware court has ruled that a shareholder derivative lawsuit against Brian Armstrong, board member Marc Andreessen, and other Coinbase directors may move forward, despite an internal investigation that previously cleared the defendants of wrongdoing.

The decision keeps alive one of the most significant governance cases tied to a major U.S. crypto exchange.

The ruling centers not on a finding of liability, but on whether the company’s internal process for dismissing the case was sufficiently independent and free of conflicts.

Judge Rejects Attempt to Dismiss the Case

Delaware Chancellor Kathaleen St. J. McCormick denied a motion to terminate the lawsuit that had been filed by a special litigation committee (SLC) formed by Coinbase’s board. While the committee concluded that pursuing the case was not in the company’s best interest, the court raised concerns about the committee’s independence.

In her opinion, Judge McCormick pointed to potential conflicts of interest, noting that one committee member had extensive professional ties to Andreessen, as well as to the law firm that conducted the investigation. These relationships, she wrote, were sufficient to cast doubt on whether the committee could exercise unbiased judgment, warranting denial of the motion to dismiss.

Insider Trading Allegations From 2021 Direct Listing

The lawsuit, first filed in 2023, alleges that Coinbase insiders used material non-public information to sell more than $2.9 billion worth of stock during and shortly after the company’s 2021 direct listing. According to the complaint, these sales allowed insiders to avoid more than $1 billion in losses as Coinbase shares declined in subsequent months.

The filing details individual transactions, alleging that Brian Armstrong sold approximately $291.8 million in shares, while Marc Andreessen, through Andreessen Horowitz, sold roughly $118.7 million. The defendants have denied wrongdoing, arguing that the sales were pre-planned and properly disclosed.

Additional Claims of Risk Concealment

A related lawsuit filed in late 2025 broadened the allegations, claiming that Coinbase executives concealed weaknesses in Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance, as well as the seriousness of ongoing regulatory investigations. Plaintiffs argue that these omissions helped artificially inflate Coinbase’s stock price, to the detriment of public shareholders.

These claims remain unproven, but Judge McCormick’s ruling allows them to proceed through further litigation stages.

Mixed Legal Landscape for Coinbase

The decision comes amid a complex legal backdrop for Coinbase. In February 2025, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission agreed to dismiss its primary civil enforcement action against the company with prejudice, following a shift in regulatory posture under the Trump administration.

Separately, citing what it described as “unpredictable” rulings in Delaware, Coinbase announced plans in late 2025 to relocate its legal registration to Texas, seeking a more business-friendly corporate environment.

What Happens Next

While allowing the case to proceed, Judge McCormick emphasized that her ruling does not determine guilt. She noted that the special litigation committee’s report presented a “compelling narrative” in defense of the directors, leaving open the possibility that they could still prevail at trial.

For now, the decision ensures that Coinbase’s leadership will continue to face judicial scrutiny over insider trading and governance practices tied to its public market debut, an outcome with implications that extend well beyond a single company in the crypto sector.

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