Quick Overview
- Coinbase now provides commission-free equity and ETF trading access to every US customer, featuring round-the-clock availability five days a week with immediate funding through USD or USDC.
- The platform debuts with more than 8,000 tradable stocks and ETFs, with additional securities coming soon.
- Apex Fintech Solutions handles clearing, custody, and trade execution on the backend.
- A strategic alliance with Yahoo Finance enables seamless transitions from market research to executing trades.
- Both COIN and Robinhood’s HOOD have declined approximately 35% year-to-date amid cryptocurrency market challenges.
Coinbase has completed its nationwide expansion of zero-commission stock and ETF trading services, enabling all US-based customers to trade traditional securities alongside digital assets within a single platform.
The trading service operates around the clock, five days weekly. Customers can deposit funds using either traditional US dollars or the USDC stablecoin, with fractional share purchases beginning at only $1.
At launch, users can access over 8,000 different stocks and exchange-traded funds. The exchange has committed to broadening this selection over the next several weeks.
The platform has partnered with Apex Fintech Solutions to manage clearing operations, asset custody, and order execution. This arrangement allows Coinbase to focus on the user experience while Apex provides the regulatory-compliant brokerage foundation.
This nationwide launch follows a strategic progression. Coinbase initially tested equities trading with a restricted user group this past December before opening access to everyone on Tuesday.
Brian Armstrong, the company’s CEO, shared the announcement on X, describing it as advancing toward “the everything exchange.” The message clearly signals Coinbase’s broader ambitions.
Strategic Alliance With Yahoo Finance
Accompanying this nationwide expansion, Coinbase has established a collaboration with Yahoo Finance. The widely-used financial information site will incorporate a “Trade on Coinbase” button directly on individual stock and cryptocurrency pages, streamlining the path from analysis to order placement.
Yahoo Finance will simultaneously integrate live market data feeds from Coinbase for enhanced price tracking. Neither company revealed the financial arrangements behind this partnership.
Subscribers to Coinbase One receive rewards on USDC balances allocated for trading purposes. Yahoo Finance visitors will receive complimentary one-month access to Coinbase One Basic membership.
Taking On Robinhood
This strategic expansion places Coinbase squarely against Robinhood, the platform that pioneered commission-free equity trading before venturing into cryptocurrency markets.
Both companies have experienced significant headwinds this year, with COIN and HOOD shares declining roughly 35% year-to-date, largely attributable to softening cryptocurrency market conditions.
Coinbase recently disclosed a fourth-quarter net loss totaling $667 million. The company saw declining transaction revenue compared to the previous quarter, alongside decreased subscription and services income.
This push into traditional securities represents a strategic response to these financial pressures—an effort to build revenue streams independent of cryptocurrency trading fees.
Historically, COIN’s share price has demonstrated strong correlation with bitcoin valuations. Incorporating equities and additional financial instruments could diminish this relationship going forward.
Coinbase has also announced intentions to launch stock perpetual futures contracts for international customers through Coinbase Bermuda Ltd., contingent upon receiving regulatory clearance, while also investigating tokenized equity products for future deployment.
Wall Street analysts have recently lowered their price projections for COIN due to diminished trading volumes, although the stock has experienced temporary gains during bitcoin price surges.
CEO Armstrong recently challenged assertions that spot Bitcoin ETFs hold “paper bitcoin” rather than actual assets, emphasizing Coinbase’s custodial responsibilities for these investment products.
Last month, the company extended its prediction market offerings to every US state through a collaboration with Kalshi, encompassing sports outcomes, political events, and cultural trends.
Coinbase confirmed that more than 8,000 stocks and ETFs are accessible immediately, with plans to extend 24/5 trading capabilities to additional securities throughout the upcoming months.
