A Coinbase payroll disruption has emerged in the UK, as employees report that Wise may be blocking salary transfers to accounts held with the platform. A LinkedIn post circulating online described the action as “anti-competitive” and noted financial disruption for employees.
The post emphasizes that Coinbase is a regulated electronic money institution under UK law and questions why its payroll transactions should be restricted.
Companies Respond
Finance Magnates reached out to both firms for comment.
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Wise has not issued a public statement.
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Coinbase confirmed the LinkedIn post can be cited but offered no further comment.
Wise Policy and Crypto Restrictions
Wise’s publicly available Acceptable Use Policy prohibits customers from using its services to buy, sell, or trade cryptocurrencies directly. The policy also notes that Wise may reject or return payments involving crypto businesses, based on internal compliance and risk assessments.
Both companies are authorised under UK regulation:
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Wise is an electronic money institution under the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
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Coinbase UK is registered under the Money Laundering Regulations with the FCA.
The policy does not explicitly block payroll payments from regulated crypto firms, so individual transaction reviews and internal compliance decisions appear to determine the outcome.
Wider UK Banking Friction
The situation reflects a broader trend of tension between UK banks and crypto businesses. Several banks have introduced limits or blocks on transfers to crypto exchanges, citing fraud prevention and regulatory compliance concerns.
Industry groups have warned that such restrictions create operational difficulties for regulated crypto firms and may undermine the UK’s ambition to become a global digital asset hub.
UK government officials have previously advocated for a balanced approach that supports innovation while maintaining financial stability and consumer protection.
