Court docket offers Coinbase the inexperienced mild to delist Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC)

• A US federal choose has allowed Coinbase to delist WBTC regardless of BiT World’s objections.
• Choose Martínez-Olguín denied BiT World’s TRO, citing lack of proof of hurt.
• Regardless of the delisting and Coinbase launching cbBTC, WBTC dominates the wrapped digital belongings market with an 85% share.

In a pivotal authorized determination, a California federal choose has dominated in favour of cryptocurrency alternate Coinbase, permitting it to proceed with the deliberate delisting of Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC).

The ruling, delivered by Choose Araceli Martínez-Olguín of the US District Court docket for the Northern District of California, got here after a contentious authorized battle initiated by BiT World, a digital asset custodian partly owned by Tron founder Justin Solar.

The BiT World lawsuit in opposition to Coinbase for WBTC delisting

The dispute started in November 2024 when Coinbase introduced its intention to delist WBTC, citing issues over its affiliation with Justin Solar.

Solar, a controversial determine within the crypto house, has confronted allegations of fraud and market manipulation.

BiT World responded by submitting a $1 billion lawsuit in opposition to Coinbase on antitrust grounds, searching for a short lived restraining order (TRO) to halt the delisting. The agency argued that the transfer would destabilize WBTC’s market and trigger substantial monetary hurt to buyers.

Short-term restraining order (TRO) declined

Throughout a digital listening to on December 18, Choose Martínez-Olguín denied BiT World’s request for a TRO, ruling that the corporate failed to offer adequate proof of imminent and irreparable hurt. She famous that BiT World’s delay in submitting the lawsuit after Coinbase’s preliminary announcement weakened its case.

In its defence, Coinbase pointed to BiT World’s refusal to reveal possession particulars and issues about Solar’s affect over the token’s integrity.

Whereas the court docket left open the chance for BiT World to current stronger proof sooner or later, the choice successfully cleared the trail for Coinbase to delist WBTC as deliberate on December 19.

Notably, WBTC’s delisting comes amid Coinbase’s current launch of its personal wrapped bitcoin token, cbBTC, elevating questions on aggressive motives.

Regardless of the controversy, WBTC continues to dominate the wrapped bitcoin market, holding 85% of the Ethereum community’s market share.