Coinbase (COIN) is one of crypto’s biggest and most influential exchanges. In this episode, we unpack its origin story—built to make Bitcoin accessible—its rise to a public company, and how a focus on security and regulatory compliance helped it become a trusted gateway for retail and institutional users. We look at how its core trading-fee business drives growth while newer offerings—subscriptions, staking, custody, a Layer‑2 network (Base), and moves into stocks and prediction markets—aim to diversify revenue and build an “everything exchange.” The tradeoffs are clear: compliance wins trust but invites heavy regulatory scrutiny and legal risk; its results are highly tied to crypto market volatility and the ever-present threat of security breaches; and tough competition from low-fee global exchanges, fintech rivals, and decentralized alternatives keeps pressure on margins. Is Coinbase a durable infrastructure leader helping shape crypto’s future, or a high‑risk incumbent vulnerable to market swings and regulatory shifts?

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Information may not be complete or accurate. It does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or other professional advice. Always do your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor.

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