Coinbase Adds Stock Trading, Prediction Markets in App Expansion

Coinbase is moving beyond its roots as a cryptocurrency exchange, unveiling stock trading and prediction markets as part of its broader plan to become an “everything exchange.”

The expansion reflects a growing effort by the company to compete with traditional fintech platforms while preparing for a future where multiple asset classes coexist on a single app.

At Coinbase’s year-end conference, Max Branzburg, Head of Consumer and Business Products, announced that stock trading is now live on the platform. The initial rollout allows users to buy and sell stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) alongside their crypto holdings.

“This is a major milestone in our plan to enable 24/7 trading of stocks and ETFs from anywhere in the world, powered by crypto,” Branzburg said.

The company also confirmed the launch of prediction markets through a partnership with regulated platform Kalshi. The feature will begin rolling out immediately, with broader availability planned later in the United States.

The move follows earlier reports that Coinbase was developing a prediction markets product backed by Kalshi.

Why Coinbase is broadening its platform

Coinbase’s expansion comes amid rising competition of fintech apps and exchanges which already provide stocks, derivatives, and event-based trading is increasing.

With the introduction of equities and prediction markets, Coinbase is putting itself in a better position to be more akin to websites such as Robinhood, although it retains its crypto-first core.

In addition to stock trading and prediction markets, Coinbase plans to introduce 24/7 perpetual futures early next year. These products will allow users to take leveraged positions, up to 50x, on both crypto assets and stock-linked instruments, depending on jurisdiction.

Branzburg described the broader rollout as part of Coinbase’s transition into an “everything exchange.” The groundwork for this shift began earlier this year when the company rebranded its wallet as an “everything app,” adding social features, in-app tools, and expanded onchain functionality.

Following the update, Coinbase shares closed down more than 3.3% during regular trading on Wednesday but recovered around 1.5% in after-hours trading to $247.85. The mixed reaction highlights uncertainty of investors on whether diversification outside of crypto will result in long-term growth.

Prediction markets gain momentum

Coinbase’s entry into prediction markets follows similar moves across the industry. Gemini recently launched its prediction markets platform across all 50 U.S. states, allowing users to trade on outcomes tied to economic data, elections, and crypto markets.

Meanwhile, decentralized exchange PancakeSwap backed the launch of Probable, a zero-fee, fully onchain prediction platform on the BNB Chain. Collectively, these trends are indicative of an increased interest in event-based trading, in centralized and decentralized finance.

In the case of Coinbase, the launch represents one of the most important strategic changes to date, as it indicates the attempt to grow beyond crypto trading and maneuver within the more competitive financial environment.