Coinbase's Vision for an All-in-One Exchange by 2026

In a bold move, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong revealed plans for the exchange to adopt an “everything exchange” model by 2026. This strategy will integrate cryptocurrencies, stocks, prediction markets, and commodities through a variety of products including spot, futures, and options.

Key Takeaways

Coinbase aims to create an all-in-one exchange for crypto, stocks, and commodities by 2026.
The plan includes expanding into prediction markets and offering in-house tokenized equities.
Regulatory developments are expected to support Coinbase’s growth, with clearer policies and increased institutional interest.
The company's goal is to become the leading financial app globally by enhancing product quality and automation.

Coinbase Plans All-in-One Exchange for Crypto, Stocks, and Commodities in 2026

This initiative positions Coinbase to directly compete with traditional brokerages while expanding its offerings from digital assets to include tokenized securities and event-based markets that have garnered substantial trading activity.

Embracing Prediction Markets and Tokenized Stocks

In late 2025, Coinbase took significant steps into the prediction markets arena by collaborating with Kalshi, a federally regulated platform that has received approval from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Leaked images revealed a Coinbase-branded interface that supports trading in USDC or USD on various topics such as economics, politics, sports, and technology. This product will function through Coinbase Financial Markets, the derivatives division of the exchange, utilizing Kalshi’s regulatory framework for event contracts based on straightforward yes-or-no questions.

Additionally, Coinbase plans to create tokenized equities internally instead of relying on external partners, a strategy that distinguishes it from competitors like Robinhood and Kraken, who use third-party providers for stock tokens.

Recent data shows that monthly transfer volumes for tokenized equities have surged about 76% within the last month, reaching approximately $2.46 billion. This spike indicates an increasing trend of integrating traditional assets into blockchain ecosystems.

Coinbase aspires to evolve into an "everything app" for digital assets, enabling users to trade cryptocurrencies, tokenized securities, and engage in event-based markets all in one location.

The prediction markets sector has witnessed considerable growth over the last year, attracting interest from established exchanges and crypto-centric firms keen to monetize data and order flow.

Recently, Gemini obtained CFTC approval to launch its prediction platform, Gemini Titan, for American users. Concurrently, Crypto.com has partnered with entities, including Trump Media & Technology Group, to facilitate the development of prediction markets.

Robinhood and trading firm Susquehanna are also positioning themselves to enhance their involvement in the crypto prediction markets by acquiring a majority stake in the regulated platform LedgerX.

Positive Regulatory Changes and Growing Institutional Involvement

Coinbase leaders are optimistic about the future, citing improved regulatory clarity and increasing institutional engagement.

David Duong, the exchange's head of investment research, noted in a year-end review that 2025 was pivotal for digital assets, with regulated spot ETFs playing a crucial role in providing broader access and stablecoins becoming vital within traditional financial systems.

Duong shared, “We anticipate these trends to amplify in 2026 as ETF approval processes speed up, stablecoins gain traction in payment structures, and tokenized collateral becomes more widely accepted in regular transactions.”

During a February earnings call, Armstrong highlighted the significance of the recent regulatory changes, saying, “The transformations in the U.S. perspective on crypto are influencing global markets to follow suit, benefiting Coinbase with a strategy for international growth.”

According to its Q3 shareholder letter, Coinbase holds $516 billion in assets, representing 16% of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization.

Coinbase Exchange 2026 - Growth Table

Armstrong forecasted that by the end of the decade, upwards of 10% of the global GDP could be facilitated through cryptocurrency, likening this shift to how businesses adapted to the internet in the early 2000s.

Furthermore, regarding stablecoins, Coinbase's chief policy officer, Faryar Shirzad, recently cautioned that limitations on stablecoin rewards might diminish the United States' standing in digital payments, especially as China permits its commercial banks to offer interest on digital yuan wallets starting January 1, 2026.

The People’s Bank of China has rolled out a framework to extend its central bank digital currency beyond merely replacing cash, prompting investors in China to invest over $188 million in digital yuan-related stocks following the announcement.