Coinbase has officially placed Binance Coin (BNB) on its asset roadmap, a preliminary step toward full listing. The exchange clarified that actual trading will depend on adequate market-making support and technical infrastructure. This move marks the first time Coinbase has publicly supported Binance’s flagship token, a notable development given the competitive dynamics between the two platforms.
Listing Fee Controversy Resurfaces
The timing of Coinbase’s announcement coincides with renewed scrutiny over listing fees. A viral post by Web3 founder CJ accused Binance of demanding substantial token allocations and airdrops from projects seeking listings. Binance initially denied these claims and threatened legal action. Jesse Pollak, lead developer at Base and affiliated with Coinbase, joined the conversation by stating that listing on exchanges should be free.
Community Reactions and Pressure
Crypto influencer Yazan responded to Pollak’s statement by questioning why Coinbase had not yet listed BNB. He argued that Pollak’s stance lacked credibility unless Coinbase followed through. Yazan emphasized that BNB is the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, excluding stablecoins. Shortly after, Coinbase announced its roadmap update, which many interpreted as a response to mounting community pressure.
CZ Responds to Listing Fee Debate
Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) addressed the controversy by stating that strong projects do not need to pay listing fees, as exchanges will compete to list them. He also noted that exchanges operate under various listing models, including spot, futures, and alpha listings. CZ emphasized that these models are nuanced and not easily categorized. Binance later clarified that it does not profit from listing fees, asserting that all token allocations are distributed to users through marketing campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why is Coinbase listing BNB now?
Coinbase added BNB to its roadmap following public debate and community pressure, especially after comments from Jesse Pollak and Yazan.
- Does Binance charge listing fees?
Binance denies profiting from listing fees and claims all token allocations go to users via marketing efforts.
- What does a listing roadmap mean?
It indicates that Coinbase is considering listing the asset, pending infrastructure and liquidity requirements.
