Coinbase, the popular cryptocurrency exchange platform, is accelerating its plans to expand its services beyond the United States. This move is aimed at tapping into new markets and diversifying its operations as the demand for cryptocurrencies continues to rise. Coinbase has been aggressively working on obtaining regulatory approvals and licenses to offer its services globally. The company’s expansion plans are in line with its stated goal of becoming the world’s leading cryptocurrency platform. The move is also seen as a response to increased competition from other leading cryptocurrency exchanges that are also expanding their operations globally.
Coinbase, the largest U.S.-based crypto exchange, is reportedly in talks with international clients about offering trading services outside the U.S. The exchange, which has been setting its sights on global growth for some time, recently revealed its “Go Broad, Go Deep” strategy, which includes growing its presence on every continent except Antarctica. Coinbase has declined to comment on the report from Bloomberg, but a spokesperson told Decrypt that the company is focused on accelerating its international expansion drive, especially in high-bar regulatory jurisdictions. The company is committed to offering its products in a safe, compliant way with sound risk management at the core.
Coinbase has already made some moves towards international expansion, including offering free bank transfers and Singpass integration for customers in Singapore. However, if the exchange does set up more overseas operations, it would more directly compete with the likes of Binance, which sees roughly ten times more volume than Coinbase per day. Other similarly-sized rivals, like Seychelles-based OKX and Cayman Islands-based Gate.io, would also pose direct competition.
Coinbase went public in 2021 and investors seem to like the idea of the exchange focusing on international growth, regardless of whether or not the rumors about talks with international clients are true. In fact, Coinbase shares were trading up 13% from the previous day an hour before markets closed on Friday, demonstrating that investors see global expansion as a positive development.
During Coinbase’s Q4 2022 earnings call, CEO Brian Armstrong alluded to increased regulatory scrutiny after the collapse of a former competitor, Sam Bankman-Fried’s crypto exchange FTX. He indicated that while he believed increased regulatory scrutiny was a good thing for the space, he did not want to wait and see how regulation shakes out in the states. According to Armstrong, just about every major financial hub outside of the U.S. is vying to be the leader in Web3.
On the latest episode of Decrypt’s gm podcast, Coinbase chief legal officer Paul Grewal expressed disappointment with the way regulators, the SEC in particular, have been approaching enforcement. Earlier this month, Grewal testified before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services and made the case for how regulatory clarity would benefit consumers and the industry.
In conclusion, Coinbase’s plans for international expansion drive demonstrate the company’s ambition to compete on a global stage. Coinbase is committed to growing in high-bar regulatory jurisdictions, and investors seem to support the company’s global growth strategy. It remains to be seen if Coinbase will truly be able to gain a strong foothold in international markets, but the company’s plans demonstrate its belief in the potential for global growth in the crypto industry.