Coinbase is making a $2.9 billion move to strengthen its position in crypto trading. The company announced Thursday it has acquired Deribit, a leading player in crypto options, in its cash and inventory transactions.
In a blog post, the world’s largest publicly traded cryptocurrency exchange said, “Coinbase has signed an agreement to win Deribit, the world’s leading crypto option exchange with currently open profits of around $30 billion.
$2.9 billion Delibit Deal Mark Coinbase’s biggest leap forward has led to institutional crypto transactions
The transaction includes $700 million in cash and 11 million shares of Coinbase Class A common stock. Once the transaction is completed, Coinbase says it will become the top global platform for crypto derivatives based on its open interest and volume of options.
This is not just a major acquisition, it’s a strategic acquisition. Deribit is the world’s leading crypto option exchange, with currently open interest of around $30 billion, exceeding the volume of more than $1 trillion in trades last year. By bringing Deribit under its umbrella, Coinbase fills a major gap in its product offerings. The company already has US futures and international perpetuals covered, and now it adds options to close things off.
“We are excited to join forces with Coinbase to promote a new era of global crypto derivatives,” said Luuk Strijers, CEO of Deribit. “As a leading Crypto options platform, we have built a strong and profitable business. This acquisition will shape the future of the global Crypto Derivatives market, along with Coinbase, under all trusted brands, while offering traders more opportunities beyond spot, future, endurance and options.”
Coinbase bets that, like the equity options of the 1990s, crypto options are on the verge of becoming a major force. By locking Delibit’s market share, the exchange places itself to ride that wave earlier.
Beyond the market range, this transaction will help stabilize Coinbase’s revenue stream. Spot trading tends to fluctuate over the market cycle, while options trading is used in both the Bull and Bear markets. As Deribit already operates a profitable business with a consistent track record, the acquisition is expected to boost Coinbase’s financial performance from the gate.
It also shows Coinbase’s intention to move violently into international markets. US retail users have already accessed futures via Coinbase Financial Markets and its derivative exchanges, allowing international users to exchange spots and perpetuals in offshore exchanges, while DeLibit provides Coinbase with a much stronger foothold overseas, especially among institutions and advanced traders.
The agreement is as crypto companies are exploring mergers and acquisitions to stay competitive and expand their user base. It also arrives when political support for US codes is becoming more vocal. Former President Donald Trump has committed to throwing weight behind digital assets and turning the United States into a crypto hub.
Coinbase stock, which has so far dropped by around 21% in 2025, has risen by more than 5% in pre-market trading after the news.
Coinbase expects the acquisition to end by the end of the year and has put on hold regulatory approvals and other standard terms.
Coinbase was founded in 2012 by Brian Armstrong and Fred Aletham. Based in San Francisco, California, Coinbase is a digital currency wallet and a platform that allows merchants and consumers to trade with new digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin.
🚀Want to share the story?
Submit your stories to TechStartUps.com in front of thousands of founders, investors, PE companies, tech executives, decision makers and tech leaders.
Please attract attention
Source link
