Coinbase for Agents (Coinbase MCP): setup guide

Step 1: create a small, separate portfolio

Coinbase recommends portfolio isolation: before you connect, create a separate portfolio for your agent, fund it with only what you're willing to risk, and give the agent access to that portfolio only. On Coinbase Advanced, go to Portfolio → Spot, open the All portfolios dropdown above your balance, and select New portfolio. This only works on the Coinbase website, not the mobile app.

Isolated agent portfolios support spot crypto only. Coinbase says US derivatives (futures) work only in your default portfolio.

Step 2a: remote MCP (Claude, ChatGPT and other supported apps)

Claude (web, desktop, mobile)

1. Click the Customize toolbox icon in the left sidebar and go to Connectors.
2. Click + → Add custom connector. Name it "Coinbase" and enter https://agents.coinbase.com/mcp.
3. Leave the other fields blank and click Create.
4. Sign in with Coinbase, then on the approval screen select only your agent portfolio.

Coinbase's docs also offer a one-click "Add Coinbase to Claude" button.

ChatGPT (set up on the web first)

1. Open Plugins in the side navigation, then Add → Add Custom MCP Server.
2. Name it "Coinbase" and enter https://agents.coinbase.com/mcp as the Server URL.
3. Leave Authentication set to OAuth, check "I understand and want to continue", and click Create as a plugin.
4. Sign in with Coinbase and select only your agent portfolio.

If Add Custom MCP Server isn't there, turn on developer mode in ChatGPT Settings (depends on your plan and workspace). Once set up on the web, it's available in ChatGPT desktop and mobile.

Claude Code

1. Run claude mcp add coinbase --transport http https://agents.coinbase.com/mcp
2. Start Claude, run /mcp, then choose coinbase → Authenticate.

Codex CLI

1. Run codex mcp add coinbase --url https://agents.coinbase.com/mcp
2. Sign in when prompted. If the browser doesn't open, run codex mcp login coinbase. Restart Codex if the tools don't appear.

Grok

1. Click Plugins (bottom-left), search for Coinbase, choose Add → Connect, then sign in to Coinbase.

To verify, ask the agent to list your portfolios. That's a read-only call.

Step 2b: local CLI with a CDP API key (coding agents)

Create a least-privilege CDP API key

1. In the CDP Portal, go to API Keys → Create API Key and name it (for example my-trading-agent).
2. Under Advanced Settings → Coinbase App & Advanced Trade → Accounts, select only your agent portfolio. Primary is selected by default, so change it.
3. Coinbase's setup enables Trade and Transfer. Coinbase says Transfer only moves funds between your own portfolios and can't withdraw to outside addresses. View is on by default. Enable only what you need.
4. Prefer an IP allowlist over "Allow requests from any IP address" if you know your IP range.
5. Click Create & Download. The secret is shown only once, so store the JSON file safely and never paste it into a chat.

Install and configure

node --version          # Node.js 22 or later
npm install -g @coinbase/coinbase-cli
coinbase --version
coinbase env live --key-file <path-to-key.json>
coinbase env            # shows "live" with your key ID
coinbase balance        # read-only check

On Linux, Coinbase recommends installing keyring support (libsecret-tools) so secrets aren't stored in plain text.

Add the local MCP server

Claude Code:

claude mcp add --scope user --transport stdio coinbase -- coinbase mcp

Other agents (Codex, Cursor and similar): add this to the MCP config:

{ "command": "coinbase", "args": ["mcp"], "transport": "stdio" }

Coinbase notes that Codex's default sandbox can't reach the OS keychain. Either give Codex elevated access or use the MCP server instead of direct CLI commands.

What's supported

• Spot crypto trading on Coinbase (900+ pairs). Orders run through Coinbase Advanced Trade, so Advanced Trade fees and eligibility rules apply.
• Conversions, such as USDC ↔ USD, with a quote first.
• Portfolio management: balances, positions, creating portfolios and moving funds between them.
• Coinbase's docs also list US derivatives (futures, default portfolio only) and eligible US stocks, plus x402 payments: the agent can pay per request for data from your USDC balance. Coinbase warns that settled x402 payments can't be reversed, so set a budget before you allow them.

Useful CLI safety flags: --dry-run prints a request without sending it, and --template shows the expected fields.

Coinbase CLI vs. CDP CLI

They're different tools. Coinbase CLI (@coinbase/coinbase-cli, command coinbase) is for trading on your own Coinbase account. CDP CLI (@coinbase/cdp-cli, command cdp) is for developers building apps with CDP APIs such as server wallets and onchain data. Coinbase also offers a separate Wallet MCP for self-custodial Coinbase Wallet, where you approve every write action.

Safety checklist

• Use a small, dedicated portfolio and give the agent access to that portfolio only.
• Use least privilege: scope the API key to one portfolio, enable only the permissions you need, and use an IP allowlist when you can.
• Keep approvals manual: Coinbase says the agent can work on its own or with your approval, and you choose. Tell it to preview and ask before every order. Coinbase notes ChatGPT can create an order in one turn, while Claude previews and asks first.
• Review orders and fills regularly on Coinbase.
• Disconnect when done: Coinbase Account → Security → Connections → revoke. Deleting a chat or local skill does not revoke access. For the CLI, delete the API key in the CDP Portal.
• Never paste passwords, 2FA codes, tokens or API secrets into a chat.
• Work through our interactive AI agent safety checklist, and read the general before-you-connect checklist.

Next: the "Connect an AI agent to your broker" learning path · Robinhood MCP setup guide

Education only, never trade advice.