Coinbase to Expand into Equities and Commodities by 2026

Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, has outlined the company's strategic plan for 2026, focusing on expanding its offerings and services.

Coinbase aims to become an "everything exchange" by integrating crypto, equities, prediction markets, and commodities, covering spot, futures, and options trading.
The company is scaling stablecoin usage and payment systems, viewing them as crucial financial infrastructure for remittances, payroll, and settlements.
Coinbase has rebranded its wallet to an "everything app," adding social networking features and enhanced on-chain integration.
The firm acquired The Clearing Company to launch stock trading and prediction markets within its app, competing with platforms like Robinhood.
Competitors such as OKX and Binance are also expanding their services into full-scale financial apps, indicating increased industry competition.

Stablecoins and the Ethereum Layer-2 platform, Base, are central to Coinbase's future strategy.

Stablecoins are positioned as essential for various financial applications, anticipating future interest from traditional banks in stablecoin products.
Armstrong's plans include further development of the Ethereum Layer-2 platform, Base, despite facing some criticism over its approach to creator coins.
Coinbase warns that unclear U.S. regulations could affect its competitive edge in the global digital finance space, especially against China.