# Coinbase's Aggressive Expansion: Sponsorships, Acquisitions, and S&P 500 Entry Propel It Into the Mainstream

By [TALK ABOUT WEB3](https://paragraph.com/@exercise) · 2025-06-16

coinbase

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Coinbase has emerged as a key driver of crypto compliance in the U.S., leveraging aggressive political donations to foster industry-friendly policies. Recently, it made headlines by sponsoring America’s 250th-anniversary military parade, further cementing its influence in mainstream society and political circles.

Simultaneously, Coinbase has ramped up product innovation and ecosystem expansion over the past few months, significantly enhancing user experience and market confidence while building a more diversified growth engine.

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### **S&P 500 Inclusion Boosts Stock, But Profitability Concerns Linger**

Since the start of the year, Coinbase has shown positive momentum across key metrics, with both its stock price and user activity rebounding.

*   **Stock Performance**: As of June 16, 2025, Coinbase (COIN) shares surged to **$242.71**, marking a **60%+ increase** from April’s low of **$151.47**. This rally was partly fueled by its May 2025 inclusion in the **S&P 500**—a first for any crypto company—signaling mainstream financial recognition. However, the stock remains **~29% below** its April 2021 peak of **$342.98**.
    
*   **Institutional Backing**: According to Fintel, **1,560 institutional investors** hold COIN shares, totaling **120 million+ shares**. Heavyweights include **Vanguard, BlackRock, Susquehanna, State Street, Jane Street, and Paradigm**.
    
*   **User Activity**: SimilarWeb data shows Coinbase attracted **34.7 million active users** in May, ranking second only to Robinhood.
    

Yet, beneath the surface, **revenue dependency on trading fees (63% of 2024’s $6.3B total)** exposes vulnerability to crypto market volatility. Q1 2025 trading revenue fell **19% QoQ to $1.3B**, reflecting declining volumes.

**Trust Challenges**:

*   A **May 2025 data breach** affected **69,000+ users**, risking millions in losses.
    
*   The SEC is probing whether Coinbase **inflated its "100M verified users" claim** during its 2021 direct listing.
    
*   A **shareholder lawsuit** over poor disclosures further pressures its stock.
    

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### **Multidimensional Strategy: Product Launches & Global Expansion**

Facing market pressures, Coinbase is aggressively diversifying through innovation and strategic moves.

#### **1\. Derivatives & Acquisitions**

*   **U.S. Perpetual Contracts**: Coinbase announced compliant perpetual futures for the domestic market, capitalizing on regulatory clarity from the CFTC.
    
*   **$2.9B Deribit Buyout**: The largest crypto M&A deal to date grants Coinbase dominance in **options and perpetual contracts**, bolstering its institutional appeal.
    

#### **2\. Payment Ecosystem**

*   **USDC Integration**: Partnerships with **Shopify and Stripe** aim to boost crypto payments in e-commerce.
    
*   **Coinbase One Card**: Launching fall 2025 with **Amex**, offering **4% Bitcoin cashback**—the highest in the market—plus travel insurance and shopping perks.
    
    *   Exclusively for **Coinbase One** subscribers (1M+ users), whose **subscription revenue grew 9% QoQ to $698M** in Q1.
        

#### **3\. On-Chain & Institutional Push**

*   **Base Network Integration**: Bringing **DEX access** to its main app, mirroring Binance Alpha’s strategy, while boosting **cbDOGE/cbXRP liquidity**.
    
*   **CDP Wallet**: A **keyless, non-custodial** wallet for seamless asset control.
    
*   **Bitcoin Yield Fund (CBYF)**: Targets **4%-8% annualized returns** for non-U.S. institutions, with **Aspen Digital** as a seed investor.
    

#### **4\. Global Compliance & Lobbying**

*   Seeking **MiCA licensing** in Europe and holding a **NYDFS BitLicense**.
    
*   **Political Maneuvering**: Hired **Obama campaign manager David Plouffe** and controversially sponsored **Trump’s military parade**.
    

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### **Conclusion: A Mainstream Player With Unresolved Risks**

Coinbase’s **S&P 500 entry, lobbying clout, and product diversification** solidify its mainstream foothold. Yet, **regulatory scrutiny, fee dependency, and trust issues** remain critical hurdles.

**The big question**: Can Coinbase balance growth with sustainability as competition intensifies?

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*Originally published on [TALK ABOUT WEB3](https://paragraph.com/@exercise/coinbases-aggressive-expansion-sponsorships-acquisitions-and-sandp-500-entry-propel-it-into-the-mainstream)*
