- AWS cooling failure forced Coinbase into cancel-only mode, disrupting trading, balances, and account access.
- Coinbase restored services gradually after shifting workloads away from affected AWS infrastructure systems.
- Outage increased pressure after weak earnings, prompting review of exchange architecture and failure handling.
Coinbase halted parts of its trading platform on May 8 after an AWS data center cooling failure disrupted critical exchange infrastructure. According to Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, multiple chillers failed inside an AWS facility, causing overheating that impacted trading access, balance displays, and order execution. The outage forced Coinbase to reassess how its exchange handles infrastructure failures during volatile market conditions.
AWS Failure Disrupts Coinbase Trading Systems
According to Brian Armstrong, most Coinbase systems handled the AWS Availability Zone disruption as designed. However, the centralized exchange infrastructure failed to maintain normal operations during the incident.
Coinbase moved markets into “Cancel Only” mode for several hours. During that period, users could cancel orders but could not open trades.
Additionally, customers reported delayed balance updates and temporary connection failures. The disruption affected Coinbase Exchange, Prime, International, and derivatives products.
Armstrong said exchange systems use architectures focused on low latency and customer co-location. However, those systems currently involve tradeoffs during large infrastructure failures.
He stated Coinbase would revisit those tradeoffs after the outage. He also noted the company wants to reduce downtime during future Availability Zone migrations.
Recovery Process Rolled Out in Stages
Meanwhile, Coinbase engineering lead Rob Witoff explained how the company restored services overnight. According to Witoff, internal systems began failing late on May 7, prompting emergency recovery procedures.
Coinbase then shifted workloads away from the affected AWS infrastructure. Afterward, engineers restored trading systems gradually instead of reopening everything simultaneously.
The exchange first enabled cancel-only functionality before moving into auction mode. Later, Coinbase restored full trading after completing additional product checks.
Witoff acknowledged customers temporarily lost access to accounts and trading functions. He added that delayed internal messaging systems also slowed balance synchronization.
Earnings Pressure Adds to Infrastructure Concerns
Notably, the outage arrived shortly after Coinbase released weaker-than-expected first-quarter earnings. The company also announced plans to reduce its workforce by 14%.
Despite those developments, Coinbase reported an 8.6% crypto trading market share during the quarter. Retail derivatives revenue also surpassed $200 million annually.
AWS later confirmed the disruption stemmed from rising temperatures inside a northern Virginia data center. The company said it increased cooling capacity and redirected traffic during recovery efforts.
