Coinbase Adds Stocks and ETFs to Its Crypto Platform

Coinbase now lets all U. S. users trade shares and exchange‑traded funds on the same app they use for digital money, moving toward a one‑stop trading spot. The service works around the clock on weekdays and charges no fees for qualified trades. Users can pay with dollars or the stablecoin USDC, and even buy tiny portions of a company for as little as one dollar. The launch follows a limited test in December and the new prediction market that appeared earlier this month. It shows Coinbase’s plan to mix many kinds of assets in a single account and interface. To help with the move, the company teamed up with Yahoo Finance, adding a “Trade on Coinbase” button to stock and crypto pages. Yahoo will also pull live data from Coinbase for its market displays, though the deal’s cost is unknown. Behind the scenes, Apex Fintech Solutions handles clearing, custody and execution. This partnership lets Coinbase users access U. S. equities inside the app while Apex manages the brokerage details. By adding stocks and ETFs, Coinbase steps into the same arena as Robinhood, a broker that has also expanded its crypto options. Both firms now compete for retail traders who want one place to handle both traditional and digital investments.The change could also affect Coinbase’s own shares. The company’s stock has often moved with Bitcoin, reflecting its reliance on crypto trading revenue. A broader product lineup that includes equities might make the firm look more like a mixed tech platform than just a crypto exchange. While both Coinbase and Robinhood shares have dropped about 35% this year amid weak digital‑asset markets, trading in stocks has given some platforms a steadier income during quieter crypto periods. In recent weeks Coinbase’s shares have swung sharply as crypto markets fluctuated. Analysts lowered price targets after weaker trading, but the stock bounced back when Bitcoin rose quickly. CEO Brian Armstrong has defended spot Bitcoin ETFs, saying they are backed by real holdings and not “paper bitcoin, ” and highlighted Coinbase’s role as a custodian. At launch, more than 8, 000 stocks and ETFs are available, with plans to add more securities later. The company also hinted at future tokenized stocks that could trade 24/7 on blockchain networks, pending regulatory approval. Coinbase’s move comes after reporting a fourth‑quarter net loss of $667 million and falling transaction revenue. Adding stock and ETF trading is a strategy to diversify earnings and attract users who want one platform for all their investments.