Coinbase is tightening its remote-first model after CEO Brian Armstrong warned that North Korean IT workers have tried to use remote jobs to access the exchange’s systems. The company is now requiring all new hires to attend in-person orientation in the United States. Employees with access to sensitive environments must be U.S. citizens and undergo fingerprinting, while interviews require cameras on to deter AI deepfakes or off-screen coaching.

 Why Coinbase is shifting its remote policy

According to Armstrong, state-linked actors have repeatedly probed remote workflows to gain footholds in crypto firms. The move toward in-person orientation is designed to verify identity and physical presence before granting any system access.

New hiring and identity checks

Coinbase has added stricter vetting for roles tied to internal tools and customer data. Beyond citizenship and fingerprinting for high-risk roles, the company is standardizing on-camera interviews and other controls to confirm a real human—not an AI clone or coached candidate—is applying.

 Insider-threat defenses and U.S. support buildout

The exchange says some customer-support agents have been offered six-figure bribes to capture images of sensitive dashboards. Coinbase has reduced data visibility to only what each role needs and emphasized criminal consequences for violations. It has also expanded U.S.-based support operations, including a new hub in Charlotte, North Carolina.

 The bigger picture for remote work

As deepfakes and social-engineering risks accelerate, more companies may demand proof of physical presence for sensitive functions—even as broader teams remain remote. For crypto firms, heightened identity assurance and zero-trust access are becoming baseline expectations.