Bankruptcy rules are weird, and it's not just crypto companies that work that way. Lots of uninsured companies could lose depositors' accounts in bankruptcy. Witness grain elevators, or storage companies, or safe deposit companies - it took special laws to protect depositors. Which protection Coinbase doesn't have, apparently.
It's always more nuanced than first glance. And (rich) creditors have always had more sway in court than common depositors, unless special rules are enacted that say otherwise.
It's weird indeed. I admit I believed there was a law that protected depositors (in general) from creditors in the event of a bankruptcy. Are you saying that there's a law that's specifically for grain companies, one specifically for safe deposit companies, etc.? What if you park your car in a garage which goes bankrupt, can you lose your car? I'm kind of mind blown right now...
It's always more nuanced than first glance. And (rich) creditors have always had more sway in court than common depositors, unless special rules are enacted that say otherwise.