Coinbase: Transforming the Cryptocurrency Landscape

Coinbase was founded in June 2012 by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam to simplify the process of buying, using, and storing Bitcoin.

Initially, Coinbase's business model focused on enabling users to buy and sell Bitcoin through bank transfers, generating revenue through transaction fees.

The company adopted a cautious and proactive stance on security and regulation to build trust and differentiate itself from competitors.

In October 2012, Coinbase launched services for users to buy and sell Bitcoin through bank transfers, expanding its user base.

By 2014, Coinbase had reached one million users and began processing Bitcoin transactions for major companies, legitimizing cryptocurrency in mainstream commerce.

In 2015, Coinbase launched Coinbase Exchange (GDAX), followed by support for Ethereum and retail support in 2016.

The company expanded its asset offerings in 2018 with support for Ethereum ERC-20 tokens and USD Coin (USDC), a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar.

In May 2019, Coinbase Prime was launched, catering to institutional customers, further solidifying its position as a market leader.

In April 2021, Coinbase went public, becoming the first major cryptocurrency company to list on Nasdaq, and reported a net profit of $1.43 billion in Q2 2025.

Today, Coinbase holds a 6.