Adam Back, the CEO of Blockstream, has publicly criticized Coinbase, labeling the exchange as anti-Bitcoin due to its alleged reluctance to process BTC donations for the Donald Trump campaign. This controversy arose following reports that the Lightning Network successfully facilitated BTC payments for former US President Donald Trump, marking a significant milestone in political fundraising using cryptocurrency.

The expectation was that Coinbase, being a major crypto trading platform in the US, would support and facilitate these BTC donations. However, Adam Back pointed out that Coinbase's failure to accept BTC payments reflects a bias towards promoting "shitcoins" over Bitcoin. Despite potential regulatory challenges, including ongoing legal disputes with the SEC, Back believes Coinbase's stance is intentional and indicative of a preference for alternative cryptocurrencies.

While some have defended Coinbase, citing regulatory complexities, Adam Back remains critical, suggesting that Coinbase's prioritization of other cryptocurrencies over Bitcoin is a deliberate choice. This criticism comes amidst Coinbase's recent listings of meme coins like Shiba Inu (SHIB), FLOKI, and BONK, which have raised questions about the platform's commitment to Bitcoin and its handling of network congestion issues that impact user experience.