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Coinbase backs stablecoins and Base in 2026 strategy

Published jan. 2 2026Last Updated jan. 2 2026

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Coinbase is setting its priorities for 2026 around stablecoins, its Ethereum (CRYPTO:ETH) layer-2 network Base, and an expanded “everything exchange” model as competition intensifies across the crypto sector.

The strategy was outlined by Coinbase chief executive Brian Armstrong in a New Year social media post that reaffirmed the company’s ambition to move beyond a crypto-only platform.

Armstrong said Coinbase is building an “everything exchange” that brings multiple financial products into a single ecosystem for users worldwide.

The company plans to continue expanding its exchange offerings beyond digital assets to include products traditionally associated with brokerages and trading platforms.

At its year-end conference in December, Coinbase introduced stock trading and prediction markets as part of this broader push.

Coinbase has also rebranded its wallet as an “everything app,” adding social networking features and deeper onchain integrations.

The shift reflects a wider trend among major crypto exchanges seeking to become so-called super apps rather than simple trading venues.

A recent report from Delphi Digital noted that exchanges such as Coinbase, OKX and Binance are evolving into distribution layers for a growing range of digital utilities.

Coinbase executives have described the rollout of stock trading on the main app as a milestone for enabling 24-hour access to markets.

The firm aims to allow users to trade stocks and exchange-traded funds alongside cryptocurrencies from a single interface.

Coinbase has also partnered with Kalshi to launch onchain prediction markets tied to real-world events.

The company has flagged plans to introduce 24-hour perpetual futures covering both crypto assets and equities.

These initiatives position Coinbase closer to traditional retail brokerages and derivatives platforms than pure crypto on-ramps.

Stablecoins form a central pillar of the company’s 2026 roadmap, with a focus on payments, remittances and settlement infrastructure.

Coinbase has framed stablecoins as essential financial rails for payroll services and cross-border transactions.

Armstrong has suggested that banks will eventually seek interest-bearing stablecoin products to remain competitive.

Not all responses to the strategy have been positive, particularly around Base’s handling of creator-focused token experiments.

Some developers have criticised the network for allegedly prioritising viral growth over long-term ecosystem sustainability.

Community discussions have also revived concerns over Coinbase’s customer support and security practices.

In 2025, the company disclosed that cybercriminals bribed overseas support staff to obtain customer data.

The incident drew renewed scrutiny of outsourced support models and extensive know-your-customer requirements.

Despite these challenges, Coinbase continues to position itself as a comprehensive financial platform rather than a single-purpose crypto exchange.

At the time of reporting, Ethereum price was $3,030.90.