The cryptocurrency world witnessed a significant development today as Global Digital Asset Exchange (GDAX), operated by Coinbase, officially enabled trading for Bitcoin Cash (BCH). This marks a major milestone in the broader adoption of BCH, reinforcing its position as one of the most prominent digital assets in the market.
Shortly after GDAX opened BCH trading, Coinbase confirmed that users across its main platform will also be able to buy, sell, send, and receive Bitcoin Cash. This integration brings BCH into one of the most trusted and widely used crypto ecosystems globally, increasing accessibility for millions of retail and institutional investors.
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Launch Details and Trading Phases
Bitcoin Cash was added to GDAX in the late afternoon Pacific Time. Initially, the exchange launched the BCH trading pairs in post-only mode, meaning that users can place new maker orders, but no trades will be executed until sufficient liquidity is established.
This cautious rollout ensures market stability and prevents price manipulation during the early stages of trading. GDAX emphasized that regular trading will commence shortly, once order books are adequately populated.
The following trading pairs are now available:
- BCH–BTC
- BCH–USD
- BCH–EUR
All order books will remain in post-only mode until liquidity thresholds are met. This phased approach reflects GDAX’s commitment to secure and reliable market operations.
Why Bitcoin Cash Was Listed
Adam White, General Manager of GDAX, explained the decision to list Bitcoin Cash by referencing the exchange’s formal Digital Asset Framework—a structured evaluation model used to assess potential listings. According to White:
“We made the decision to list BCH by considering such factors as customer interest, developer support, network security, market capitalization, trading volume, and our Digital Asset Framework.”
This framework ensures that only assets meeting rigorous standards for security, decentralization, and community engagement are introduced to the platform. The inclusion of Bitcoin Cash signals strong performance across these key metrics.
A Brief History: The Bitcoin Cash Fork
Bitcoin Cash originated from a hard fork of the Bitcoin network on August 1, 2017, at block #478559 (13:20 UTC). The fork was driven by a segment of the Bitcoin community seeking larger block sizes to improve transaction speed and reduce fees—addressing scalability concerns with the original Bitcoin protocol.
As a result of the fork, all users who held Bitcoin (BTC) on GDAX at the time received an equal amount of Bitcoin Cash (BCH). For example, if a user had 2 BTC in their account when the fork occurred, they were credited with 2 BCH. This airdrop-style distribution ensured fair access and aligned with common practices for handling blockchain splits.
Market Reaction and Growing Adoption
In recent days, Bitcoin Cash has seen its value more than double within a 24-hour window, reflecting surging investor confidence and renewed interest in its utility as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system.
This momentum has been further fueled by strategic partnerships and integrations. Notably, BitPay, a leading Bitcoin payments processor, recently announced it would begin supporting multiple blockchain networks—starting with Bitcoin Cash. This move enables merchants to accept BCH for goods and services, enhancing its real-world use case beyond speculation.
Such developments reinforce the narrative that Bitcoin Cash is not just an alternative cryptocurrency but a viable payment network designed for everyday transactions.
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What This Means for Users
For Coinbase and GDAX customers, this listing means:
- Direct access to buy and sell BCH using USD, EUR, or BTC
- Ability to transfer BCH in and out of their accounts securely
- Integration with Coinbase’s insured custodial wallets and robust security infrastructure
- Real-time price data and advanced trading tools on GDAX
Moreover, the listing simplifies tax reporting and compliance, as transactions are automatically tracked within a regulated U.S.-based exchange environment.
Core Keywords and SEO Optimization
The primary core keywords naturally integrated throughout this article include:
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
- Coinbase
- GDAX
- Cryptocurrency trading
- Blockchain fork
- Digital asset exchange
- BCH–USD trading
- Cryptocurrency adoption
These terms align with high-intent search queries related to price tracking, exchange availability, historical background, and investment potential—ensuring strong visibility in search engine results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Bitcoin Cash (BCH)?
A: Bitcoin Cash is a cryptocurrency created in August 2017 through a hard fork of the Bitcoin blockchain. It features larger block sizes (up to 32MB), allowing faster transaction processing and lower fees compared to Bitcoin.
Q: Can I trade BCH on both Coinbase and GDAX?
A: Yes. Both platforms now support full trading functionality for Bitcoin Cash, including buying, selling, sending, and receiving.
Q: Did I receive free BCH if I held BTC during the fork?
A: If you held Bitcoin on GDAX at the time of the August 1, 2017 fork, you were automatically credited with an equal amount of Bitcoin Cash. Wallets held elsewhere may have different policies depending on the provider.
Q: Why did GDAX choose to list BCH?
A: GDAX evaluated BCH using its Digital Asset Framework, which considers factors like customer demand, network security, developer activity, market cap, and trading volume—all of which met their listing criteria.
Q: Is Bitcoin Cash considered a scam or controversial?
A: While BCH has faced debate due to its contentious fork from Bitcoin, it maintains active development, merchant adoption (e.g., BitPay), and exchange support. It is recognized as a legitimate digital asset by major financial platforms.
Q: How does post-only mode affect trading?
A: In post-only mode, you can place limit orders but no trades will execute immediately. This prevents market orders from causing sudden price swings before enough liquidity builds up.
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Final Thoughts
The addition of Bitcoin Cash to Coinbase and GDAX represents more than just another listing—it's a signal of maturing infrastructure in the digital asset space. By applying a transparent evaluation process and prioritizing user security and liquidity readiness, GDAX continues to set industry standards for responsible asset expansion.
As adoption grows and use cases expand—from everyday payments to cross-border transfers—Bitcoin Cash remains a compelling option for those seeking fast, low-cost transactions on a decentralized network.
With major platforms embracing it and payment processors integrating support, BCH is proving its staying power in the ever-evolving crypto landscape. Whether you're an investor, developer, or merchant, now is an excellent time to understand what Bitcoin Cash offers—and how it fits into the future of money.