Investing in Bitcoin Directly May Be Better Bet Than Coinbase: Mizuho

The crypto exchange could face industry headwinds amid the wider adoption of cryptocurrency, Mizuho told clients.

AccessTimeIconNov 11, 2021 at 4:55 p.m. UTC
Updated May 11, 2023 at 5:46 p.m. UTC

Investors may be better off owning bitcoin directly versus buying shares of Coinbase Global (COIN) to avoid expected headwinds, including increasing competition and the ongoing “commoditization of cryptocurrency exchanges,” Mizuho Securities USA told clients in a note Thursday.

  • Mizuho has a neutral recommendation on Coinbase shares and a $300 price target. Coinbase was recently trading at around $339 per share.
  • Analyst Dan Dolev also said that yield compression continues to be a headwind for Coinbase, and “isn’t limited to one type of market condition.”
  • Mizuho noted the performance of bitcoin and Coinbase have been similar since the latter’s first day of trading on April 14, with bitcoin up about 2% since then and Coinbase stock up by nearly the same amount.
  • Coinbase shares fell earlier this week after third-quarter results missed expectations. The stock was up about 3% on Thursday.
  • Bitcoin's Price Rallied 28% in October as Crypto Rally Widened
    13:53
    Bitcoin's Price Rallied 28% in October as Crypto Rally Widened
  • Key Driver Behind Bitcoin's Price Spike; California's Crypto Licensing Bill Signed Into Law
    02:09
    Key Driver Behind Bitcoin's Price Spike; California's Crypto Licensing Bill Signed Into Law
  • Robinhood Crypto General Manager Focused on 'Removing the Barrier to the Crypto Space'
    08:50
    Robinhood Crypto General Manager Focused on 'Removing the Barrier to the Crypto Space'
  • NFL Quarterback, Two YouTube Influencers Settle FTX Case; Sen. Warren's Crypto Bill Gets New Support
    02:35
    NFL Quarterback, Two YouTube Influencers Settle FTX Case; Sen. Warren's Crypto Bill Gets New Support
  • 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

    Michael Bellusci is CoinDesk's crypto reporter focused on public companies and digital asset firms.


    Read more about