Bitcoin News Today: Coinbase Boosts Bitcoin Holdings and Plans Tokenized Stocks and Prediction Markets

Coinbase Global Inc. (COIN) is increasing its bitcoin holdings and planning to introduce tokenized U.S. stocks and prediction markets for its U.S. customers in the coming months, signaling a strategic pivot to broaden its product offerings. The announcements come as the company posted a disappointing second-quarter performance, with shares declining more than 6% in post-market trading following the earnings report [2].

Coinbase added 2,509 BTC to its reserves in Q2 and has signaled its intent to continue purchasing more. CEO Brian Armstrong confirmed the move in a recent post on X, stating, “Coinbase is long bitcoin. Our holding increased by 2,509 BTC in Q2, and we keep buying more.” The firm has clarified, however, that it is not positioning itself as a bitcoin treasury company but rather as a crypto operating company with investments in the sector [1].

In parallel, the exchange is preparing to offer tokenized U.S. equities—digital representations of traditional stocks that can be traded on blockchain infrastructure. These tokenized assets would allow investors to buy and sell fractional shares around the clock with faster settlement and lower costs compared to traditional markets. The initiative, which requires regulatory approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), was confirmed by Coinbase’s chief legal officer, Paul Grewal, in June [1].

The move into tokenization aligns with broader industry trends, as major financial institutions including BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, and JPMorgan explore the use of blockchain to digitize real-world assets and improve capital market efficiency. Coinbase’s top competitors, Robinhood and Kraken, have already launched tokenized stocks in international markets [1].

In addition to tokenized stocks, Coinbase is also planning to launch prediction markets, enabling users to bet on the outcomes of future events using crypto assets. The feature is expected to roll out within months, subject to regulatory clarity. “We’re building an exchange for everything,” said Max Branzburg, Coinbase’s vice president of product. “Everything you want to trade, in a one-stop shop, on-chain.” The company envisions a platform where all assets—stocks, prediction markets, and more—are accessible onchain [2].

These initiatives are part of Coinbase’s broader strategy to evolve into what it describes as an “everything exchange.” The platform aims to integrate a wide range of financial instruments, including derivatives and other crypto-native products, to serve as a one-stop solution for digital asset trading. The expansion is seen as a response to shifting market dynamics and investor demand for diversified, accessible, and efficient trading tools [5].

However, the recent earnings report highlighted ongoing challenges. Transaction revenue and adjusted EBITDA both declined in Q2, contributing to a drop in the company’s stock price. Analysts have pointed out that while tokenization could bring increased efficiency and liquidity to the market, its success will depend on regulatory developments and investor adoption [1].

As the U.S. crypto industry continues to navigate a complex and evolving regulatory environment, Coinbase’s push into tokenized assets may signal a broader trend toward the integration of blockchain technology with traditional financial markets. The company’s strategic moves suggest a long-term vision of transforming how investors access and trade a variety of assets, leveraging the speed, accessibility, and transparency of blockchain infrastructure [1].

Source:

[1] https://x.com/reallive3tv/status/1951178****43596480

[2] https://swingtradebot.com/news-articles/22005510-coinbase-increases-bitcoin-holdings-plans-tokenized

[3] https://www.advisorperspectives.com/firm/bloomberg-news

[4] https://mlq.ai/news/

[5] https://www.techmeme.com/250731/p8