Coinbase Enhances Support for Solana with In-App DEX Trading Following Community Concerns

Coinbase has strengthened its integration with Solana by enabling native decentralized exchange (DEX) trading within its mobile app. This feature allows users to swap Solana tokens directly on-chain for the first time through Coinbase. The update, which includes the ability to settle trades in USDC, reflects Coinbase's vision of becoming an "everything exchange," unifying both custodial and on-chain trading.

Key Takeaways

Coinbase now supports native DEX trading for Solana-based tokens in its mobile app.
Trades can be settled in USDC, cash, bank accounts, and debit cards.
Coinbase aims to integrate custodial and on-chain trading.
The company's recent acquisition of Vector will enhance its DEX capabilities.
Coinbase is addressing the demand for self-custody and on-chain execution amid competition.

Coinbase Expands Native Solana Support With In‑App DEX Trading After Bridge Backlash

Coinbase Introduces Native DEX Trading for Solana

Coinbase has taken a significant step in enhancing its Solana integration by activating native decentralized exchange (DEX) trading within its mobile application. This update enables users to swap Solana-based tokens directly on-chain, marking a first for the platform.

This feature was confirmed by Andrew, a protocol specialist at Coinbase, who stated that trades can now be settled in USDC, in addition to traditional options like cash, bank accounts, and debit cards.

This launch follows the company's introduction of DEX support for Base-network assets earlier in August and fulfills its commitment to include Solana offerings before the year concludes.

Solana's Growing Role in Coinbase's Business Strategy

Coinbase's latest initiative comes at a time when the company aims to evolve into what it describes as the “everything exchange.” This long-term strategy focuses on combining custodial and on-chain trading into a single platform.

Earlier this month, Coinbase announced its plan to acquire Vector, an on-chain trading platform that operates on Solana. Expected to close by the end of the year, this acquisition will integrate Vector’s infrastructure into Coinbase’s DEX framework.

Vector specializes in identifying newly launched Solana assets as they go live on-chain, a feature Coinbase believes will enhance trading speed, liquidity, and help users discover new assets.

As Solana’s trading environment gains traction, it has become a focal point for Coinbase. Data indicates that Solana DEX trading volume has surpassed $1 trillion in 2025, highlighting the increasing pace of activity on the network.

Solana DEX Trading Dynamics

A recent overview of the ecosystem reveals over $4 billion in trading volume within a 24-hour period and close to $94 billion over the past month. Key platforms such as HumidiFi, Pump, Meteora, Raydium, Orca, and Tessera V are now leading this space, accounting for more than 88 percent of daily trading activity.

Market Share Dynamics

New market participants have captured significant shares, transforming a market previously dominated by Orca and Serum.

In October, Coinbase rolled out DEX trading features for U.S. users after earlier testing the functionality with a limited group. However, New York users remain unable to access these features due to state regulations.

Community Concerns Over Coinbase’s Base-Solana Bridge

Coinbase's deepened Solana integration comes shortly after the company faced backlash from the Solana community for launching a cross-chain bridge connecting Base and Solana. This bridge, which went live on December 5, is secured by Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol and allows users to transfer SPL assets into the Base environment.

Base’s lead, Jesse Pollak, described the bridge as a two-way channel for unlocking shared liquidity. However, Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko criticized this by claiming that such bridges function as mechanisms for value capture rather than neutral infrastructure. He urged Base developers to perform computation on Solana if they sought an economic alignment.

Tensions heightened as members of the Solana Foundation expressed dissatisfaction with the bridge’s launch, claiming it lacked proper collaboration with dedicated Solana teams and failed to partner with a single Solana-based launch collaborator. Pollak defended the decision, citing nine months of development and arguing that the demand from builders justified the bridge's introduction.

Coinbase’s Focus on Global Expansion

The expansion of DEX capabilities coincides with Coinbase's efforts to rebound from falling trading volumes and fierce competition from U.S. rivals like Robinhood and Kraken. By enabling users to retain ownership of their assets and execute trades on-chain, Coinbase aims to meet the demand for self-custody solutions while minimizing dependence on traditional exchange frameworks.

Additionally, Coinbase's international presence is growing. In November, the firm launched Coinbase Business in Singapore and reopened user registration in India on December 8, following a two-year hiatus, with plans to introduce fiat support by 2026.