Coinbase joins other exchanges such as OKX and Bybit that have secured MiCA licenses in a bid to take advantage of regulatory clarity in Europe. Coinbase has secured a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from the Luxembourg Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier, which enables the exchange to offer crypto products across European Union countries. The move signals mounting competition in the European crypto market, where other exchanges have also been pursuing registrations. OKX and Crypto.com secured MiCA licenses in January, followed by Bybit in May. Gemini is also on track to obtain a license in the region, according to a Reuters report. Coinbase has named Luxembourg as its new European headquarters, citing the country’s reputation as a progressive financial center in Western Europe. Bordered by Belgium, France and Germany, the country has been gradually advancing crypto regulations since 2019. Read more
If approved by the US regulator, the investment offering could have Coinbase competing against other stock trading platforms. Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase is reportedly looking for the green light from US financial regulators to offer tokenized stock trading to its users. According to a Tuesday Reuters report, Coinbase's chief legal officer, Paul Grewal, said the company was seeking Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval to offer “tokenized equities,” potentially competing with other trading platforms like Robinhood. Grewal reportedly said the plan was a “huge priority” for Coinbase. As of June, tokenized equities such as stocks are not available for trading in the US. However, US-based digital assets companies have been able to offer similar services to non-residents through partnerships. Crypto exchange Kraken announced a plan to launch tokenized US stock trading in May. Read more
US President Donald Trump promoted a 250th anniversary celebration of the Army that coincided with his birthday, leading to a sharp divide in how many Americans spent June 14. Update (June 16 at 10:13 pm UTC): This article has been updated to include more information on Coinbase’s financial contribution. Coinbase is facing backlash from crypto users after sponsoring the 250th anniversary celebration of the US Army in Washington, D.C. In a June 16 X post, Adam Cochran, a partner at venture capital firm Cinneamhain Venture, said he would be exiting his positions at Coinbase — stocks, bonds, and moving crypto assets — following the exchange’s sponsorship of the military parade. Read more
Gemini is set to receive approval from Malta, while Coinbase is expected to get the green light from Luxembourg, according to Reuters. Crypto exchanges Gemini and Coinbase are reportedly set to secure licenses to operate in the European Union, marking a significant step in their expansion under the newly implemented Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations. Gemini is on track to receive approval from Malta, while Coinbase is expected to obtain its license through Luxembourg, Reuters reported Monday, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. A Coinbase spokesperson declined to comment on the specific application but told Reuters that Luxembourg is a “well-respected global financial center.” Read more
David Plouffe previously worked as an adviser for Alchemy Pay, Binance, former President Barack Obama's and former Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaigns. David Plouffe, who worked as an adviser on former US Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign, will be joining Coinbase’s Global Advisory Council. In a Thursday notice, Coinbase said Plouffe would join former lawmakers, industry leaders, and others on the company’s advisory council, seemingly to advise the exchange on policies moving forward in the US and abroad, as well as its role in future elections. The appointment of Plouffe to the council marked one of his first roles in crypto and policy since leaving Harris’ campaign. “It’s important to understand that someone who holds crypto or stablecoin, that might not be the most important issue to them voting,” Plouffe said at Coinbase’s State of Crypto Summit, adding: Read more
The US president has spoken in person at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville and released a video message for the Digital Asset Summit in New York City. US President Donald Trump released a prerecorded message for attendees of Coinbase’s State of Crypto Summit as Congress considers legislation to regulate payment stablecoins and establish a digital asset market structure framework. In his second message directly addressing a crypto conference since becoming president in January, Trump said he was “not done” implementing crypto policies in the US government. These, according to the president, have included efforts through executive orders to establish a national Bitcoin (BTC) reserve, creating a working group on digital assets and nominating Paul Atkins to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). “My administration is working with Congress to pass the GENIUS Act supporting the creation of dollar-backed stablecoins, and we also will be working to create clear and simple market frameworks that wi...