Coinbase Global Inc. has announced it will resume offering cryptocurrency services in Hawaii. This marks the first time in seven years that the digital asset exchange will operate in the state.

Hawaii Eases Crypto Regulations

Hawaii was the only state where Coinbase did not offer services. The company attributed its return to recent changes in local regulatory guidelines. The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Division of Financial Institutions has removed the requirement for a money-transmitter license, which was previously needed for digital asset businesses.

“We know there’s a lot of interest among Hawaiians to finally avail themselves of our services, we are super excited,” Faryar Shirzad, Chief Policy Officer at Coinbase, said in an interview.

Coinbase Faces SEC Dispute

Residents of Hawaii will now be able to trade cryptocurrencies and participate in staking. Staking involves using tokens to support blockchain transactions. Coinbase’s decision comes as the regulatory environment in the US changes. Earlier this year, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved exchange-traded funds that directly hold Bitcoin and Ether.

Despite this move, Coinbase is still involved in legal disputes with the SEC. The agency has accused Coinbase of operating as an unregistered securities exchange . Coinbase contests these claims and has filed a countersuit against the SEC.

Coinbase has filed lawsuits against the SEC and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), as reported by Finance Magnates. These lawsuits, reported by FoxBusiness, allege that the agencies failed to fulfill Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests made to the US District Court for the District of Columbia.

Coinbase argues that this lack of response undermines transparency in regulatory practices and accuses the agencies of actions that could marginalize the cryptocurrency industry within the banking sector.