Flare Slams Coinbase For Disallowing XRP Holders Free Coins

Last Updated on 2 December 2020 by CryptoTips.eu


Jeroen Kok

Jeroen is one of the lead copywriters on Cryptotips.eu and discusses all recent events in the crypto market. This includes news updates, but also price analyzes and more. He developed his passion for cryptocurrency during the bull run in 2017. He has learned a lot since then. The combination of cryptocurrency and creative writing is perfect for Jeroen and an excellent way to share his knowledge with a wide audience. Find me on LinkedIn / [email protected]

By now, the excitement surrounding the Flare Network team’s airdrop has a big influence on the XRP price. In the past few days, almost all major exchanges announced they would support Flare’s effort to reward everyone holding XRP with a similar amount of their new SPARK tokens. Everyone, except Brian Armstrong’s Coinbase apparently.

Meanwhile Coinbase supporters are expressing their outrage on social media about it, even though crypto commentators are convinced that most Coinbase customers simply don’t know that they won’t be receiving the free tokens.

Even Kraken, which we reported three days ago had still not decided to join in, has by now changed their minds.

Ripple-funded blockchain network

By now, it is becoming quite obvious that the absence of Coinbase could also have other reasons. As you know, Flare Networks, a Ripple funded blockchain network, is of course related to Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse.

He was one of the two known major crypto enthusiasts (together with Square and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey) who slammed Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong last month for not taking a stance in the US presidential election, either supporting Donald Trump or Joe Biden.

Brad Garlinghouse disapproved of this in an interview with CNBC, saying that tech companies have an “obligation” to work towards solving societal problems.

We think our mission is to create an Internet of value, but we strive for positive outcomes for society. I think tech companies have the opportunity – but actually an obligation – to be part of the solution.

Rumor has it that Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong didn’t take it too well. Might this be the explanation as to why Coinbase is not joining the airdrop?

Every minor exchange minus Coinbase

It has gotten to such a point that known crypto blogger John Cho in fact summed it up quite nicely when he said:

At this point in time, pretty much every major exchange minus Coinbase is supporting the FlareNetworks airdrop.

Flare’s social media channels retweeted that news themselves, hoping that Coinbase customers would notice. We’re sure this is not the last of it.

If you want to know how to get those tokens, check out our blog.