Coinbase Is More Than Just a Crypto Exchange: JMP Securities

Momentum continues to build in the company’s ancillary businesses, the report said.

AccessTimeIconMar 22, 2024 at 12:55 p.m. UTC
Updated Mar 22, 2024 at 12:57 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global event for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now
  • Coinbase's trading volumes are booming in the first quarter, JMP Securities said.
  • The broker sees just as big an opportunity coming from the exchange’s ancillary businesses.
  • JMP has a market outperform rating on the stock with a $300 price target.
  • Everything You Need to Know About the EasyA Consensus Hackathon
    14:01
    Everything You Need to Know About the EasyA Consensus Hackathon
  • Ether-Bitcoin Ratio Drops to Lowest Since April 2021
    00:59
    Ether-Bitcoin Ratio Drops to Lowest Since April 2021
  • Tornado Cash Developer Alexey Pertsev Appeals Guilty Verdict; CME's Plan for Spot Bitcoin Trading
    01:39
    Tornado Cash Developer Alexey Pertsev Appeals Guilty Verdict; CME's Plan for Spot Bitcoin Trading
  • Guild of Guardians Built to 'Win' the Web2 Mobile Space: Game Director
    14:32
    Guild of Guardians Built to 'Win' the Web2 Mobile Space: Game Director
  • Coinbase (COIN) is more than just a crypto exchange, and momentum is continuing to build in its ancillary businesses, JMP Securities said in a research report Thursday.

    “We still estimate material growth opportunities in the exchange business as the market matures, with rising prices generally correlating with activity,” analysts led by Devin Ryan wrote.

    JMP notes that Coinbase’s daily spot trading volume in the first quarter is averaging about $3.3 billion, which has more than doubled from the fourth quarter last year. The newly launched derivatives platform is also “scaling at a tremendous pace.”

    “Still, relative to the growth opportunity in the exchange and custody offerings, we see a just as exciting of an opportunity in the development of blockchain use cases today and expect Coinbase to participate in much of that continued evolution,” the authors wrote.

    Those opportunities include participation in the tokenization of real-world assets, such as its recently announced partnership with Blackrock (BLK), activities in payments such as its venture with stablecoin issuer Circle and Web3 development and decentralized apps (dapps), as well as staking, the report said.

    Coinbase can participate in much of the future growth and innovation in the sector by working with TradFi firms looking to become involved with digital assets rather than competing with them, the report added.

    The broker continues to see spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) adoption as a significant catalyst for the market, however, “ETF flows will not come on a smooth line, particularly with some transitory selling related to GBTC.”

    It estimates that around $25 trillion of capital associated with traditional wealth management has not even entered the market yet en masse, but says it is optimistic about that opportunity.

    JMP has a market outperform rating on Coinbase shares with a $300 price target. The stock closed at $262 on Thursday.

    Read more: Ether Could Be a Meaningful Earnings Driver for Coinbase, JPMorgan Says

    Edited by Sheldon Reback.

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

    Author placeholder image

    Will Canny is CoinDesk's finance reporter.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.