If you're a Grenadian passport holder looking to enter the world of cryptocurrency through Coinbase, understanding the Know Your Customer (KYC) process is essential for a smooth experience. The good news? Your Grenadian passport is fully accepted on this platform, and with the right approach, verification can be straightforward and hassle-free.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of Coinbase's 2025 KYC process specifically for Grenadian citizens. Whether you're a lifelong Grenadian or obtained citizenship through the investment program, here share the practical insights you need to navigate verification confidently.

Why KYC Matters on Coinbase

Before diving into the process, let's address why KYC exists in the first place. Cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase implement KYC procedures to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and to create a secure trading environment. By verifying user identities, Coinbase can prevent fraud, protect legitimate users, and maintain regulatory compliance.

For you as a Grenadian passport holder, completing KYC is your gateway to accessing Coinbase's full suite of services. Once verified, you'll be able to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrencies with the security and convenience that comes with using a regulated platform.

Let's break down the entire process step by step, with special attention to considerations for Grenadian citizens.

Coinbase's KYC Process in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Creating Your Basic Account

Your journey begins with setting up a Coinbase account. Head to Coinbase's website or download their mobile app, then create an account using your email address and a strong password. You'll receive a verification email – make sure to click the link to activate your account.

Next, you'll need to provide some fundamental personal information:

  • Your full legal name (exactly as it appears on your passport)
  • Date of birth
  • Residential address and country of residence
  • Phone number (this will be used for two-factor authentication)

Accuracy is crucial here. Any mismatches between this information and your identification documents could delay your verification.

Grenadian Tip: If you live in Grenada, select Grenada as your country of residence. If you're a Grenadian citizen living abroad, select the country where you actually reside. You can still use your Grenadian passport for ID verification in the next step, even if you live elsewhere.

Remember that consistency matters – if you claim to live in one country but all your activity comes from another, it might trigger additional verification checks. Be prepared to explain or document your actual residence if asked.

Step 2: Verifying Your Identity with Your Passport

Once your basic profile is set up, Coinbase will prompt you to verify your identity with a government-issued ID. For international users like yourself, a passport is the recommended document.

When prompted, select "Passport" as your ID type and follow the instructions to submit images of your passport's photo page. You can do this via the Coinbase mobile app (using your phone camera) or through the web interface (by uploading scanned images).

To maximize your chances of a smooth verification, make sure your passport meets these requirements:

  • It's valid and not expired
  • The entire photo page is visible and clear in the image
  • All text and the machine-readable zone are legible
  • The image is well-lit and free from glare or blurring
  • You've submitted a color image (not black-and-white)

After uploading your passport, Coinbase may require an additional "liveness check" – typically a selfie or short video – to verify that you're the person pictured in the ID. This helps prevent identity theft by comparing your live image to your passport photo.

Grenadian Tip: Grenada passports are machine-readable and internationally recognized, but the automated system might not encounter them as frequently as passports from larger countries. Make sure to capture the passport's machine-readable zone (the two lines of code at the bottom) clearly, as this helps the system validate the document.

If the automated check has trouble recognizing your Grenadian passport on the first try, don't worry – this occasionally happens with less common passports. You may be asked to resubmit higher-quality images or your verification might be flagged for manual review by Coinbase staff.

Step 3: Additional Verification (If Required)

In many cases, submitting your passport and selfie is all you'll need to get approved. However, depending on your circumstances, Coinbase might request additional documentation. Here are some potential additional checks:

Proof of residential address: Coinbase might ask for this to confirm where you live, especially if your passport is from Grenada but you've indicated you reside elsewhere. Acceptable proofs typically include:

  • Utility bills (electricity, water, internet)
  • Bank statements
  • Tax correspondence
  • Rental agreements
  • Government-issued letters

The document should be recent (usually within the last 3-6 months) and show your full name and address. If you don't live in Grenada, provide a document from your actual country of residence. What matters is that the address on the document matches what you entered on Coinbase.

Questionnaire on source of funds: If your account activity or planned transaction limits are high, Coinbase might implement Enhanced Due Diligence and ask about your source of funds (e.g., savings, employment income, investments) or the purpose of your crypto transactions. This typically happens only for large traders or if something triggers a compliance flag.

Occupation or political exposure information: In some cases, Coinbase might ask for your occupation or whether you are a politically exposed person, as part of their AML checks.

Grenadian Tip: If you obtained your Grenadian passport through the Citizenship by Investment program and primarily live elsewhere, be transparent and consistent in the information you provide. Coinbase won't explicitly ask if your passport is through investment, but their systems will notice if your IP address consistently shows you're in a different country than Grenada.

This isn't to prevent you from using Coinbase – it's simply a flag for them to verify everything is legitimate. As long as your documents and explanations check out, you'll pass these additional checks.

Step 4: Waiting for Approval

After submitting all required KYC information, the ball is in Coinbase's court. In most cases, verification is completed within minutes to a few hours. You'll receive an email confirmation once your identity is verified.

If manual review is needed (which can be more likely for passports from smaller countries like Grenada), it might take up to 24-48 hours. During this waiting period, avoid submitting multiple additional documents unless prompted, as redundant submissions can confuse the process.

Keep an eye on your email (including spam folder) in case Coinbase requests more information. If more than 3-5 business days pass with no response, consider reaching out to Coinbase Support and reference your case ID.

Once approved, your Coinbase account will have "Identity Verified" status, and you'll be able to access trading and wallet features. You can then link payment methods (like a bank account or card) to start buying and selling crypto.

Grenadian Tip: Because Grenada's local currency (Eastern Caribbean Dollar, XCD) is not directly supported on Coinbase, you'll likely be transacting in a major currency like USD. You can use a credit/debit card or international bank transfer, which will convert your XCD to USD for deposits.

There's no restriction on this from Coinbase's side – it's just that Coinbase won't hold a balance in XCD. Many users in the Eastern Caribbean use USD as their functional currency on Coinbase.

Step 5: Enhancing Your Account Security

After verification, it's wise to enable extra security measures on your Coinbase account. Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) if you haven't already. While Coinbase will have prompted for a phone number for SMS 2FA, using an authenticator app or hardware key offers even stronger protection.

I also recommend using a strong, unique password and considering Coinbase's additional security tools like address whitelisting or withdrawal alerts. A well-secured account is less likely to encounter lockouts or trigger compliance re-reviews.

Can Grenadian Citizens Use Coinbase in 2025?

One of the first questions you might have is whether Coinbase is even available to Grenadian nationals. The good news is yes – Grenada is supported by Coinbase as of 2025.

Coinbase operates in over 175 countries worldwide and Grenada is not on any prohibited list. Coinbase only restricts access in jurisdictions under U.S. sanctions or other legal bans, such as North Korea, Iran, and Syria. Grenada has no international sanctions against it, so Coinbase imposes no nationality-based restrictions on Grenadian passport holders.

In fact, Coinbase's help documentation explicitly includes Grenada in the roster of supported ID jurisdictions – foreign passports from supported countries (which include Grenada) are accepted for verification across all regions.

That said, while Grenadian citizens are fully accepted, Coinbase's services may have some practical limitations. As mentioned earlier, Coinbase doesn't support the Eastern Caribbean Dollar for deposits and withdrawals. A Grenadian user can still trade crypto, but if you want to move fiat currency in or out, you'd likely use U.S. dollars via an international bank transfer or a USD credit card.

Additionally, some features like Coinbase Card or certain payment methods are available only in select countries. These are not restrictions on your account specifically – just limitations in Coinbase's service offerings in your region.

The bottom line: Coinbase fully welcomes Grenadian users, but you might need to use international banking channels to fund your account since local currency integration isn't available.

Grenada's Regulatory Standing: How It Affects Your KYC Experience

From a compliance perspective, Grenada's status in global finance actually works in favor of its passport holders on platforms like Coinbase. Here are some key points that will impact your verification experience:

FATF Compliance: Grenada is not listed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as having strategic AML deficiencies. In other words, Grenada is not on the FATF grey list or blacklist as of 2025.

This matters because if a country were on these lists, financial institutions worldwide (including crypto exchanges) might apply extra due diligence to users from that country. Grenada's absence from those lists means Coinbase does not automatically treat Grenadian customers as high-risk simply due to nationality.

Grenada underwent a mutual evaluation by Caribbean FATF in 2022 and was found largely compliant on many recommendations, reflecting a decent AML regime.

Sanctions Status: As mentioned, Grenada faces no U.N., U.S., or EU sanctions. There are no embargoes or restrictions that would bar Grenadian citizens from international financial services.

This contrasts with citizens of sanctioned countries who cannot use Coinbase at all. A Grenadian passport is viewed as a "clean" nationality in this context – there's no blanket prohibition or flag on it.

Offshore Finance and CIP Programs: Grenada, like some other Caribbean states, is known as an offshore financial center and operates a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program. These factors sometimes draw added scrutiny from financial institutions.

The U.S. Department of State and other bodies note that small offshore jurisdictions can pose higher AML risks, and that CBI schemes could potentially be misused to obscure one's identity or tax residence.

However, Grenada's CBI program (launched in 2013) requires applicants to pass strict background checks including AML/KYC screening before a passport is granted. In other words, a Grenadian passport – even one obtained via investment – is a vetted document issued by a government that has verified the holder's identity and checked for criminal history.

Coinbase will treat a Grenadian passport the same as any other valid passport. There is no direct question on Coinbase like "Did you obtain citizenship through investment?" – they only care that the passport is genuine and belongs to you.

That said, because offshore centers and CBI programs are on regulators' radar, Coinbase may indirectly factor this into risk scoring. For example, if your profile shows a Grenadian passport issued very recently, but your IP address and bank accounts are in another country, Coinbase's compliance team might take a closer look to ensure everything makes sense.

The key is to be transparent and consistent: there's no penalty for being a dual citizen or an economic citizen, as long as you accurately report your residence and respond to any queries about your source of funds if asked.

Local Crypto Regulation: Grenada itself has been proactive in strengthening its oversight of cryptocurrency. In 2021, Grenada enacted the Virtual Asset Business Act, a uniform law across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union that regulates crypto service providers.

In 2024, the government published detailed regulations to implement this act, requiring any crypto exchanges or service providers operating from Grenada to register with regulators (Grenada Authority for the Regulation of Financial Institutions, GARFIN).

These moves align Grenada with international standards set by FATF for virtual assets. For you as an individual user, this doesn't directly affect your Coinbase account (since Coinbase is not based in Grenada), but it indicates Grenada's commitment to AML compliance in crypto.

Coinbase, in turn, is reassured that Grenadian authorities are cooperative in combating financial crimes. Not being from a high-risk country means you won't face "automatic" enhanced checks on Coinbase beyond the standard KYC steps everyone goes through.

FATCA, CRS, and Tax Implications for Grenadian Coinbase Users

Coinbase's KYC isn't just about identity – it also ties into tax compliance. Three key frameworks to understand are FATCA, CRS, and U.S. tax rules. Here's how they affect you as a Grenadian using Coinbase:

FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act)

FATCA is a U.S. law that requires financial institutions worldwide to report information on accounts held by U.S. citizens and residents to the IRS. While FATCA is mainly about foreign institutions reporting on U.S. clients, its implementation means every Coinbase user is asked to declare their tax status.

Coinbase, being a U.S. company, complies with FATCA by collecting tax forms from customers. During or after KYC, you'll encounter a certification step: U.S. persons submit Form W-9 (providing a Tax ID), and non-U.S. persons submit a Form W-8BEN (certifying foreign status).

As a Grenadian citizen, you'll fill out a W-8 form to confirm you are not a U.S. taxpayer. This is a one-time process, usually integrated into the account setup. It's important to complete it because if you don't, Coinbase is required to assume you didn't certify and might impose backup withholding (a 24% tax holdback) on certain transactions.

Grenada has an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. under FATCA (signed in 2016, in force 2018) which means Grenadian banks report U.S. account-holders to the Grenada government, who in turn report to the IRS.

However, FATCA does not require U.S. institutions like Coinbase to report non-U.S. persons to foreign governments. The information flow is mostly one-way (foreign to U.S.).

The upshot is that Coinbase will inform the IRS about U.S. customers' accounts, but if you are purely Grenadian with no U.S. tax residency, Coinbase generally will not report your account details to Grenadian authorities under FATCA.

That said, you are still responsible for complying with any Grenadian tax laws that apply. Currently, Grenada imposes no capital gains tax and no tax on foreign-sourced income for its residents, so cryptocurrency trading profits are likely not taxable for most Grenadian residents – but this is something to confirm with a local tax advisor.

CRS (Common Reporting Standard)

CRS is a global standard for automatic exchange of financial account information, spearheaded by the OECD. Grenada is an "early adopter" of CRS, having started exchanges in 2018.

Under CRS, countries' tax authorities share data on foreign residents' financial accounts (very similar in goal to FATCA). However, the United States has not joined the CRS system. Instead, the U.S. relies on FATCA bilateral agreements and does not reciprocally share as much data.

What this means for you: If you open an account with a U.S.-based institution like Coinbase, that institution is not reporting your account to Grenadian authorities under CRS, because the U.S. isn't in CRS.

If, hypothetically, you opened an account with Coinbase's European entity (Coinbase has subsidiaries in the EU/UK for certain services), those entities might report to their local tax authority which could then share with Grenada. But for the standard Coinbase.com account governed out of the U.S., CRS doesn't directly come into play – your Coinbase account info is not automatically flowing to the Grenada Inland Revenue.

This is actually a quirk some international users see as a privacy advantage of using U.S. financial institutions.

Important caution: Just because data isn't automatically exchanged doesn't exempt you from paying any taxes you owe at home. Grenada, as noted, has very favorable tax treatment (no personal income tax on overseas income in many cases), but if in the future Grenada taxed crypto gains or if you became tax-resident elsewhere, you would need to self-report as required.

U.S. Tax Exposure

As a non-U.S. individual using Coinbase, you generally do not incur U.S. tax liabilities on your crypto trades or holdings. U.S. capital gains tax applies to U.S. taxpayers; simply trading as a foreign national does not make you subject to IRS taxes.

However, there are a couple of scenarios to be aware of:

  1. If you earn income through Coinbase from U.S. sources – for instance, staking rewards, interest on holdings (like Coinbase Earn), or referral bonuses – those might be considered U.S.-sourced income. Typically, Coinbase would handle this by withholding 30% tax on certain U.S.-source payments to non-U.S. persons, unless a tax treaty applies.

For Grenada, there is no U.S. tax treaty reducing that rate, so the default withholding stands. By submitting your W-8BEN, you've informed Coinbase of your foreign status; if you ever earn something like USDC rewards or other U.S. source income on the platform, Coinbase will either not pay it until you certify, or will withhold the appropriate amount for the IRS.

  1. New U.S. regulations in 2024–2026 will require crypto exchanges to report customer trades on forms like the 1099-DA. Starting in 2025, Coinbase will report the gross proceeds of your crypto sales to the IRS. By 2026, they will also report cost basis, effectively telling the IRS your gains or losses.

Even if you're not a U.S. person, Coinbase may generate a form 1099-DA for you if you meet the reporting thresholds, because the rule applies to all customers' transactions.

The IRS uses this for enforcement on U.S. taxpayers. If they receive a 1099-DA for a Grenadian user (with a W-8 on file), they know that user is foreign and not liable for U.S. tax; however, theoretically they could share that info with Grenadian authorities through requests or agreements, or it could be used if the person later becomes a U.S. taxpayer.

The main impact for you is that you'll have documentation of your trades. Don't be alarmed if you receive an IRS form – it doesn't mean you owe U.S. tax. It's simply part of Coinbase's compliance with U.S. law.

In summary, Grenadian users on Coinbase have minimal U.S. tax exposure as long as they are not otherwise U.S. taxpayers. You should certify your foreign status (W-8) to avoid any withholding issues.

Coinbase will handle FATCA/CRS compliance in the background, which for U.S.-based accounts mostly means reporting U.S. persons to IRS and not much else for foreigners.

Always stay informed about your home country's tax rules, but as of 2025 Grenada does not tax crypto profits for individuals in any case. This makes the combo of Grenadian citizenship and a compliant exchange like Coinbase quite smooth in terms of tax reporting burdens.

Privacy and Data Protection: What Happens to Your Personal Information

Undergoing KYC on Coinbase necessarily means entrusting personal documents and information to the platform. It's important to understand how Coinbase uses and protects this data, especially for a citizen of a small country like Grenada.

What Information Does Coinbase Collect?

When you complete Coinbase's KYC, the company collects personal identification information including:

  • Your name, address, and date of birth
  • A copy of your government-issued ID (passport)
  • Your photo (selfie)
  • Other details you provide during verification

This information is used strictly for compliance and security purposes – verifying your identity, complying with laws, and preventing fraud. Coinbase's Privacy Policy outlines that they collect such data to meet legal obligations (AML/KYC rules) and to protect the integrity of the platform.

They maintain this information as long as needed for those purposes, which can mean they keep KYC records even after you close your account, to satisfy regulatory retention requirements (financial regulations often require retention of KYC data for 5 years or more).

How Secure Is Your Data?

Coinbase is known for robust security practices. They use encryption and secure storage for personal data. Your ID documents and selfies are transmitted over encrypted channels and stored securely.

Coinbase has faced security incidents in the past (including hacks in 2021 and 2023), but those were breaches of user accounts/wallets, not broad leaks of personal data. In each case, Coinbase reimbursed affected users and improved security. There have been no reported major breaches of Coinbase's identity verification databases.

Moreover, Coinbase is regularly audited (being a publicly listed company) and must adhere to data protection laws which impose strict requirements on safeguarding personal information.

That said, no system is infallible. By submitting your passport to any online service, you are exposing yourself to some risk. In the unlikely event of an internal rogue actor or an external hack targeting Coinbase's KYC data, your documents could be compromised.

This is why Coinbase, like banks, invests heavily in cybersecurity. For further peace of mind, know that Coinbase's privacy policy commits that they do not sell your personal data and will only share it with select third parties for verification or legal compliance.

The verification itself is often done with the help of third-party identity verification services (like Jumio, Onfido, etc.), meaning your passport image may be processed by these service providers acting on Coinbase's behalf. Those vendors are also bound by privacy laws and Coinbase's contracts to keep data secure.

Who Can See Your Information?

Coinbase will not make your identity information visible to other users or the public. Only Coinbase's compliance team and the trusted verification partner see your actual documents.

However, Coinbase may share your data with authorities if required. According to their policies, Coinbase will preserve and share information with law enforcement and regulators when legally compelled or when necessary to prevent harm.

For example, if a government agency (U.S. or international) presents a valid subpoena or court order relating to your account (perhaps in a criminal investigation), Coinbase can provide them with your KYC info and account records.

They may also cooperate with tax authorities or financial regulators as required by law. As a Grenadian user, this means if (hypothetically) Grenada's law enforcement or a global body asked Coinbase for information in the context of money laundering or terrorism financing inquiries, Coinbase could comply.

There is no known instance of Coinbase specifically handing over data on Grenadian users, but such scenarios are covered under general policy.

The Privacy vs. Compliance Trade-off

By using a regulated exchange like Coinbase, you sacrifice a degree of anonymity in exchange for security and access. Your transactions on Coinbase will be linked to your verified identity.

This is something to consider if privacy is a primary concern. If you prefer not to expose your identity at all, peer-to-peer trading or decentralized exchanges would be the alternative, but those come with other risks and limitations.

Coinbase strikes a balance by implementing industry-standard privacy protections for the data you give them, but ultimately, you are subject to oversight. For most law-abiding users, this is not a problem – it actually protects you (e.g., if someone tried to steal your identity to make a Coinbase account, the strict checks would thwart them).

Just be aware that your Coinbase account is not anonymous: it could be linked back to you via the KYC records, and Coinbase can and will cooperate with investigations under the proper legal process.

How Long Is Your Data Kept?

Coinbase will keep your KYC documents for as long as you have an account and for a period after. They state that data is retained as needed to comply with laws and to protect their interests.

This often means at least five years from the end of the relationship (a common AML rule). You don't have an option to delete your KYC data immediately after verification – it's tied to compliance requirements.

In essence, the privacy implications are similar to opening an account at a global bank. Your data is protected by strong security and privacy protocols, but it is available to Coinbase and can be disclosed to authorities if mandated.

Ensure you use a unique, secure email for your Coinbase account and never share your login details, to avoid social engineering risks. From Coinbase's side, they will handle the heavy lifting of keeping your personal info safe – and their track record shows a high commitment to security (with any breaches promptly addressed and compensated).

Practical Tips for Grenadian Passport Holders: Overcoming Common Challenges

Even though Grenadian users are fully supported on Coinbase, there are a few practical challenges that can arise during verification due to the nuances of passports and international compliance. Here are some common issues and how to address them:

1. Automated Recognition of Less Common Passports

The Challenge: Coinbase's verification system is partly automated. It quickly verifies IDs from most countries, but now and then, a passport from a small nation like Grenada might not immediately auto-verify, simply because the system has seen fewer of them.

This can result in a delay or a request to resubmit your document. It's not that Grenadian passports are unacceptable – it's a technical hiccup where the software isn't as "familiar" with the document format.

The Solution: Ensure you submit a high-quality image of your passport. Use the Coinbase mobile app if possible, as its built-in camera capture for KYC tends to optimize the image for verification.

Make sure there's no glare, the text is crystal clear, and the entire passport page is in frame (all edges visible). Avoid distractions in the background of the photo.

If the automated attempt fails, Coinbase typically allows you to try again or will direct you to a manual review process. Follow any instructions in the email they send. Often, a second attempt with better lighting will succeed.

If not, you can reach out to Coinbase support and explain that you're using a Grenada passport that might need manual verification – they can verify documents manually when needed.

Many users from small countries have gone through this; patience and providing clear docs is usually enough.

2. Citizenship vs. Residence Mismatch

The Challenge: You are Grenadian by citizenship (passport), but you live in another country – a scenario common for those who obtained Grenada citizenship through the investment program or simply emigrated.

Coinbase's default flow assumes your ID and your residential address will be from the same country. If you select "United Arab Emirates" as your country of residence, for example, and then submit a Grenadian passport, the system might flag a mismatch.

In some cases (especially historically) users have had their verification initially declined because "passport country doesn't match profile country". This can be frustrating for dual citizens.

The Solution: Coinbase does accommodate this situation, but you need to go about it the right way. When entering your profile info, use your actual country of residence – where you genuinely live and can prove an address.

Then, when submitting your passport, if it's from a different country (Grenada), that's okay: Coinbase accepts foreign passports along with local supporting documents.

If the system doesn't automatically accept it, you may be asked to submit a proof of address (from your country of residence) as an extra step. Do so, and that should resolve the discrepancy.

Essentially, you must link "this Grenadian passport belongs to a person living at this address in [country X]." Make sure the name and birthdate on all documents match exactly.

If you have multiple citizenships and could use another ID that matches your residence, you might choose the path of least resistance. But if Grenada is your only citizenship or preferred ID, it's perfectly fine – just be prepared for the possibility of a manual check.

If Coinbase support sees that your documents are in order (passport from country A, address from country B, both legit and belonging to you), they will approve it.

Consistency is key: whatever country you select in your profile, stick with it and provide evidence for it. Do not try to game the system by saying you reside in Grenada if you actually don't, because then you won't have a local Grenadian utility bill to show if asked.

3. Providing Proof of Address

The Challenge: If Coinbase requests proof of address, you'll need a document showing your name and address. Grenadian residents might face a challenge if their bills are not in their name (e.g., young people living with family) or if utilities in Grenada still use paper and are slow.

Those abroad might not have address docs in the local language or may be unsure what's acceptable.

The Solution: Coinbase typically accepts bank statements, utility bills, tax correspondence, rental agreements, or government-issued letters for address verification.

The document should be recent (usually within the last 3-6 months) and show your full name and address. For Grenada, a bank statement from a local bank or an electricity bill from Grenlec can work, for example.

If you're in another country, use an equivalent document from there. If your documents are not in English, provide a translation if possible (Coinbase might allow the original if it's clearly a standard format).

Make sure the address exactly matches what you put on Coinbase (down to the spelling of the street). If you don't have any document because, say, you just moved somewhere, you might use an official letter or an internet/cable bill, which are often available even for new addresses.

In a pinch, you could update your banking address and use the bank's statement. Coinbase support can guide you if something gets rejected – sometimes it's as simple as one line of the address not matching and you can fix it.

Also, remember to upload the document in a clear PDF or image form; if the portal rejects your file, double-check their instructions (file size, format, etc.).

Grenadian diaspora should note that P.O. boxes might be common in Caribbean addresses but are not sufficient alone; try to have a physical address on the document as well.

4. Verification Delays and Manual Reviews

The Challenge: You've submitted everything and now you're waiting. Verifications can take up to 48 hours in normal cases. However, for some users from smaller countries, there might be a longer wait if a manual review is queued.

The Coinbase team might not process Grenadian passports as frequently, so your case could sit a bit longer or require a specialized reviewer. This can be nerve-wracking.

The Solution: First, be patient for at least 48 hours – this is the typical window Coinbase gives for verification. During this time, avoid submitting new tickets or re-uploading documents, as it might reset your place in the queue or create confusion.

Check your email (including spam folder) to ensure you didn't miss any correspondence from Coinbase – they might email if they need more info.

If two business days pass with no word, you can use Coinbase's support channels to politely inquire. Provide them your account email and any reference number from the verification attempt.

Coinbase support can often expedite or clarify the status at that point. Once approved, remember that this is usually a one-time process; you won't have to re-verify on each login, so the delay is mostly an upfront inconvenience.

In our experience, Grenadian users have successfully been verified, even if it occasionally required a human to look at the documents.

5. Best Practices for a Smooth KYC Experience

Regardless of nationality, these tips help avoid KYC headaches:

  • Use your legal name consistently: Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport (including middle names). Even an extra initial can cause a mismatch.
  • Avoid VPNs or proxies during verification: Logging in from unusual IP addresses (like jumping countries via VPN) can trigger security flags. It's best to complete verification on a normal connection from the location you claimed to reside in.
  • Keep your phone number and email active: These are used for 2FA and communication. If Coinbase can't reach you or you can't receive a login code, it becomes a problem. Also, don't change your number right during verification – if you must update it, do so before or after, not in the middle of a KYC check.
  • Have a stable internet/browser environment: Use an updated browser with scripts enabled for the verification process, or the official Coinbase app. Disable any ad-blocker that might interfere with uploads. This prevents technical glitches when sending your documents.
  • Be honest and cooperative: If Coinbase asks "What is the source of the funds you plan to use on Coinbase?", answer truthfully (e.g., "personal savings from employment"). If they ask why you have a Grenadian passport but live in Canada, just explain the truth (e.g., "I obtained Grenadian citizenship via the CBI program, but I reside in Canada").

The compliance team isn't there to judge; they just need to record that due diligence was done. Being evasive or giving contradictory info would raise red flags, whereas straightforward honesty will clear up issues quickly.

By following these best practices, you significantly reduce the likelihood of KYC roadblocks. Thousands of users from countries as small as Grenada use Coinbase, and the vast majority complete verification successfully by adhering to the requirements.

If something does go wrong, Coinbase support is your friend – they can manually verify documents and have procedures for almost every scenario.

Your Grenadian Passport Is Welcome on Coinbase

Grenadian passport holders can confidently complete KYC on Coinbase in 2025. The process, while rigorous, is designed to be straightforward: you prove your identity and residency, and Coinbase unlocks its full suite of crypto services for you.

Grenada's good standing in international compliance (no FATF flags, no sanctions) means you are not hindered by your nationality on the platform. After verification, you'll enjoy the same access as any other user, with robust security for your assets.

Always remember that KYC is about security – both for Coinbase and for you. By verifying customers, Coinbase complies with global laws and keeps bad actors out, which ultimately protects the integrity of the marketplace.

Your information will be handled according to strict privacy standards, and only used for legitimate purposes of compliance and security.

In navigating the Coinbase KYC with a Grenadian passport, you've also positioned yourself at the intersection of traditional finance and the modern crypto economy. Grenada's citizenship by investment program and tax regime offer unique advantages – such as financial freedom and minimal taxation – and Coinbase provides a gateway to leverage those advantages in the crypto space.

As long as you operate transparently and within the rules, you can enjoy the benefits of both worlds: the privacy and mobility of a Grenadian passport, and the accessibility and security of a U.S.-based cryptocurrency platform.