Coinbase Faces Solana and Cardano (ADA) Transaction Delay

Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, is facing transaction processing issues for Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA). Users have reported long delays in sending and receiving transactions, sparking concerns about Coinbase’s ability to handle high-throughput blockchains.

While Coinbase blames network congestion, some experts suggest internal infrastructure problems may be the root cause. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening, the community response, and potential solutions moving forward.

Coinbase and Solana (SOL): Why Transactions Are Delayed

1. Delays of 14+ Hours for SOL Transactions

Users have reported transactions taking over 14 hours to process on Coinbase.
Some transactions have failed entirely, leading to frustration among Solana traders.

2. Network Congestion vs. Coinbase’s Infrastructure

Coinbase attributes the delays to Solana’s network congestion, but industry experts dispute this claim.
Mert Mumtaz, CEO of Helius Labs, argues that Coinbase’s infrastructure is not optimized for Solana’s high-speed blockchain, leading to inefficiencies in transaction processing.

3. Coinbase’s Response

Coinbase has acknowledged the issue, stating they are working to scale infrastructure to handle increased Solana transaction volume.
The exchange has assured users that their funds are safe, emphasizing that SOL withdrawals are not limited due to liquidity issues.

4. Community Reaction: Frustration and Calls for Transparency

On X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, users have expressed frustration, with some accusing Coinbase of being unprepared for Solana’s high transaction volume.
Some users recommend switching to other platforms that handle SOL transactions more efficiently.
Others have called for Coinbase to provide proof of reserves for Solana holdings, ensuring liquidity isn’t an underlying issue.

5. Technical Insights: Coinbase’s Handling of Solana Transactions

Unlike other blockchains, Solana processes transactions in parallel, meaning it requires unique infrastructure optimizations that Coinbase may not have implemented.
Experts suggest that Coinbase’s generalized indexing system may struggle to keep up with Solana’s unique speed and scalability.

Coinbase and Cardano (ADA): Delays in Processing Transactions

1. Users Report Delayed ADA Transactions

While Cardano delays are less severe than Solana’s, some users have reported slow transaction processing on Coinbase.

2. Incident Timeline

On February 3, 2025, Coinbase acknowledged delayed sends for ADA, while other functions like buying, selling, and fiat transactions remained unaffected.
By February 5, Coinbase announced a fix, stating that normal transaction speeds had resumed.

3. Cardano Network Upgrades and Their Impact

Cardano’s Chang Hard Fork (September 2024) improved network throughput, potentially requiring Coinbase to update its infrastructure for smoother transaction processing.
While network upgrades improve long-term performance, they can sometimes cause temporary delays on centralized platforms until full integration is complete.

4. Community Response and User Workarounds

Some Cardano users on Reddit shared solutions, suggesting that if Coinbase withdrawals are delayed, users can use their seed phrase to access funds via external wallets.

General Observations: What This Means for Coinbase and Its Users

1. Infrastructure Challenges for Centralized Exchanges

High-throughput blockchains like Solana and Cardano require specialized handling, which Coinbase may not have fully optimized.
While decentralized exchanges (DEXs) process transactions directly on-chain, centralized exchanges manage internal transaction flows differently, leading to potential bottlenecks.

2. The Risk of Losing User Trust

Transaction delays hurt user confidence in Coinbase, pushing traders to consider alternative platforms.
Binance, Kraken, and other exchanges have handled Solana and Cardano transactions with fewer issues, making them attractive alternatives.

3. The Growing Demand for Scalable Crypto Platforms

As blockchain adoption grows, exchanges must continuously scale their infrastructure to keep up with network demand.
Solana and Cardano are gaining traction, and exchanges that fail to adapt risk falling behind in the competitive crypto space.

What’s Next? Possible Solutions and Coinbase’s Path Forward

1. Coinbase Needs to Upgrade Its Infrastructure

To keep up with Solana’s and Cardano’s growing ecosystems, Coinbase must:
✅ Optimize transaction indexing for high-speed blockchains.
✅ Increase server capacity to reduce transaction delays.
✅ Improve transparency about network congestion issues.

2. Alternative Solutions for Users

Solana users can use Phantom or Solflare wallets for direct transactions.
Cardano users can access funds via external wallets like Daedalus or Yoroi if Coinbase experiences issues.
Traders looking for faster transactions may consider other exchanges that handle these networks more efficiently.

3. Will This Impact Coinbase’s Reputation?

While Coinbase remains one of the most trusted exchanges, frequent transaction issues could push users toward decentralized platforms.
The crypto community demands reliability, and how Coinbase addresses these challenges will impact its long-term user base.

Final Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call for Centralized Exchanges?

The delays in Solana and Cardano transactions on Coinbase highlight the growing need for scalable infrastructure as crypto adoption accelerates. While Coinbase blames network congestion, experts argue that internal inefficiencies are the real problem.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Coinbase users have faced long delays (14+ hours) for Solana transactions.
✔ Cardano transactions also experienced issues, but Coinbase claims to have resolved them.
✔ Network congestion is partially responsible, but Coinbase’s infrastructure may be the bigger issue.
✔ The crypto community is demanding more transparency and better handling of high-throughput blockchains.
✔ If Coinbase doesn’t scale its infrastructure, users may move to competitors or decentralized exchanges.

With crypto adoption growing, platforms like Coinbase must improve transaction reliability—or risk losing market dominance.