Which country blocked Coinbase and Gemini?

TLDR

The Philippines blocked access to Coinbase and Gemini.

1. Local ISPs restricted the platforms after a regulator order targeting unlicensed virtual asset service providers per a Cointelegraph report.
2. About 50 platforms were flagged by the central bank, marking a licensing crackdown per CryptoNews coverage.

Deep Dive

1. Regulator Order

Philippine internet providers were instructed to block access to Coinbase and Gemini after the National Telecommunications Commission acted on a request from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to restrict unlicensed platforms. Cointelegraph confirmed both were inaccessible across multiple ISPs, underscoring enforcement of local licensing rules for crypto service providers (Cointelegraph report).

This directive is part of a broader move to tighten compliance and reduce user exposure to unregulated services, with roughly 50 platforms targeted for operating without authorization, according to contemporaneous reporting (CryptoNews coverage).

2. Context And Implications

The Philippines previously blocked Binance and asked app stores to remove its application, signaling that a local license is becoming the decisive factor for market access. The Coinbase and Gemini blocks extend this enforcement pattern observed since late 2023 and into 2024, with additional platforms flagged for operating without BSP approval (Cointelegraph report above).

Regulators have emphasized consumer protection and AML compliance. Licensed local services have expanded offerings while offshore platforms without registration face access restrictions, consistent with the recent clampdown reported by multiple outlets (CryptoNews coverage above).

Conclusion

Answer: The Philippines. Access to Coinbase and Gemini was blocked as part of a wider enforcement drive against unlicensed exchanges, reflecting a clear shift toward local licensing compliance. If you operate or trade from the Philippines, confirm licensing status to avoid future access issues.