Coinbase Global, Inc. stands as one of the most influential players in the cryptocurrency industry. Founded in 2012 by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam, Coinbase has evolved from a startup into the largest U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange and a key custodian of digital assets globally. With over 108 million users across more than 100 countries, it offers a comprehensive suite of services for retail investors, institutions, developers, and businesses.
As a publicly traded company listed on Nasdaq (COIN) and a component of the S&P 500 since May 2025, Coinbase continues to shape the future of decentralized finance while navigating regulatory challenges, market volatility, and rapid technological innovation.
Founding and Early Growth (2012–2019)
Brian Armstrong, a former Airbnb engineer, launched Coinbase after participating in the Y Combinator startup accelerator program, receiving $150,000 in seed funding. Fred Ehrsam, a former Goldman Sachs trader, joined shortly afterward after connecting with Armstrong through Reddit discussions about Bitcoin. The name "Coinbase" refers to coinbase transactions—special blocks in proof-of-work blockchains that introduce new cryptocurrency into circulation.
The platform officially launched in October 2012, enabling users to buy and sell Bitcoin via bank transfers. By 2014, Coinbase reached one million users and introduced several critical security features, including insured Bitcoin storage and the vault system for secure asset management. That same year, it partnered with major companies like Overstock, Dell, Expedia, and PayPal to enable Bitcoin payments.
In 2015, Coinbase secured $75 million in funding led by Draper Fisher Jurvetson and the New York Stock Exchange. It expanded internationally, launching services in Canada and Singapore in 2017. Regulatory milestones followed: obtaining the BitLicense from New York’s Department of Financial Services and launching USD Coin (USDC) in partnership with Circle and Bitmain through the Centre consortium.
IPO and Institutional Expansion (2020–2021)
Coinbase transitioned to a remote-first company in May 2020 amid the global pandemic, eliminating its physical headquarters. That same month, it acquired Tagomi, a New York-based institutional trading firm, to strengthen its enterprise offerings.
In April 2021, Coinbase made history with a direct listing on Nasdaq at a reference price of $250 per share, valuing the company at approximately $47 billion. On its first trading day, shares closed at $328.28. The move marked a pivotal moment for the crypto industry, signaling broader financial legitimacy.
That year also saw the launch of key products:
- Coinbase Card, a Visa debit card allowing users to spend crypto.
- Coinbase Ventures, an early-stage investment arm focused on blockchain startups.
- Coinbase Prime, a dedicated trading platform for institutional clients.
Despite growth, Coinbase faced internal challenges. In 2020, reports revealed gender and racial pay disparities, prompting policy changes. In May 2021, the company eliminated salary negotiations to promote equity across roles.
Regulatory scrutiny intensified when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) threatened legal action over Coinbase’s planned Lend product, leading to its cancellation despite similarities with existing market offerings.
Market Downturn and Strategic Restructuring (2022–2023)
The crypto market downturn in 2022 prompted significant adjustments. In June, Coinbase laid off 18% of its workforce—about 1,100 employees—to streamline operations. Revenue declined from $7.8 billion in 2021 to $3.2 billion in 2022, with a net loss of $2.6 billion reported for the year.
However, strategic partnerships signaled long-term vision:
- A collaboration with BlackRock enabled Aladdin users to monitor Bitcoin exposure.
- An agreement with Google Cloud allowed cloud service payments via crypto and shifted data infrastructure from AWS to Google Cloud.
In February 2023, Coinbase launched Base, a layer-2 Ethereum blockchain built on Optimism’s OP Stack, designed to support decentralized applications (dApps), NFTs, and DeFi innovations. This move positioned Coinbase as not just an exchange but a foundational player in Web3 development.
SEC Lawsuit and Dismissal
In March 2023, Coinbase received a Wells notice from the SEC over its staking services, alleging violations of securities laws. In response, Coinbase sued the SEC, urging clearer regulatory guidance for digital assets.
The legal battle culminated in February 2025, when the SEC dismissed its lawsuit against Coinbase—a major victory for regulatory clarity in the crypto space.
Recent Developments and Global Expansion (2024–Present)
By 2024, Coinbase rebounded strongly:
- Revenue: $6.56 billion
- Net Income: $2.58 billion
- Total Assets Under Management: $404 billion
- Equity: $10.3 billion
The company solidified its status as the world’s largest Bitcoin custodian, holding over 12% of all Bitcoin and 11% of staked Ether. In May 2025, it was included in the S&P 500 index—a testament to its financial stability and market influence.
Key milestones include:
- Launching Apple Pay integration on its Onramp platform.
- Acquiring Deribit, a Dubai-based derivatives exchange, for $700 million in cash and $2.2 billion in stock—the largest acquisition in crypto history.
- Expanding compliance infrastructure after penalties from NYDFS ($50 million), Dutch Central Bank (€3.3 million), and UK FCA (£3.5 million) related to AML and high-risk customer onboarding issues.
Despite past customer service complaints—earning an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau between 2018 and 2023—Coinbase improved operations and now holds an “A+” rating as of 2025.
Core Products and Services
Coinbase serves diverse user segments with tailored solutions:
For Retail Users
- Coinbase App: Buy, store, and trade cryptocurrencies with ease.
- Coinbase Advanced: Formerly Coinbase Pro; designed for active traders.
- Coinbase Wallet: Access dApps via built-in browser; non-custodial control.
- Coinbase One: Premium subscription offering zero fees and enhanced rewards.
- USD Coin (USDC): A regulated stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar.
- Coinbase Earn: Stake crypto to earn passive income through network validation.
For Businesses & Institutions
- Coinbase Business: Crypto operating account for SMEs.
- Coinbase Commerce: Accept crypto payments with checkout tools.
- Coinbase Custody: Secure cold storage for institutional assets.
- Coinbase Payments: Stablecoin payment rails for e-commerce.
- Coinbase Prime: Advanced trading tools for hedge funds and asset managers.
- Coinbase Developer Platform: APIs and testnet access for builders.
Notably, Coinbase does not support privacy-focused coins like Monero due to KYC/AML compliance requirements.
Financial Performance Overview (2019–2024)
| Year | Revenue ($B) | Net Income ($B) | Assets ($B) | Equity ($B) | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0.534 | -0.030 | 17 | 1.06 | 750 |
| 2020 | 1.14 | 0.322 | 90 | 1.53 | 1,249 |
| 2021 | 7.84 | 3.62 | 278 | 6.38 | 3,730 |
| 2022 | 3.19 | -2.63 | 75 | 5.46 | 4,510 |
| 2023 | 3.11 | 0.10 | 191 | 6.28 | 3,416 |
| 2024 | 6.56 | 2.58 | 404 | 10.28 | 3,772 |
Source: Coinbase Form 10-K filings
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Coinbase safe to use?
A: Yes. Coinbase employs advanced security measures including cold storage for over 98% of assets, two-factor authentication (2FA), and FDIC-insured cash balances up to $250,000.
Q: Does Coinbase report to the IRS?
A: Yes. U.S. users must verify their identity under KYC rules, and transactions meeting certain thresholds are reported to the IRS annually via Form 1099.
Q: Can I stake crypto on Coinbase?
A: Yes. Through Coinbase Earn, users can stake Ethereum, Solana, Cosmos, and other proof-of-stake coins to earn rewards while helping secure blockchain networks.
Q: Why did the SEC sue Coinbase?
A: The SEC alleged that Coinbase operated as an unregistered broker-dealer and failed to register its staking service under securities laws. The case was dismissed in February 2025.
Q: What happened during the May 2025 cyberattack?
A: Hackers accessed personal data (names, emails) of a small user subset but did not obtain passwords or funds. Coinbase refused a $20 million ransom and offered a matching reward for information leading to arrests.
👉 Stay ahead of emerging threats—learn how top platforms protect user data today.
Final Thoughts
Coinbase has cemented itself as a cornerstone of the digital asset ecosystem—balancing innovation with compliance in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. From its early days as a Bitcoin gateway to becoming a full-stack Web3 platform with Base blockchain and global derivatives access via Deribit, Coinbase continues pushing boundaries.
While challenges remain—from past layoffs to cybersecurity risks—the company's resilience is evident in its financial recovery, product innovation, and regulatory victories.
As digital currencies gain mainstream traction, Coinbase remains at the forefront—not just as an exchange, but as an architect of the decentralized financial future.