Coinbase Institutional Market Call

This week we have Sarah Williamson (Coinbase Institutional’s Head of Financing Trading) joining us as a special guest. While optimism remains in short supply due to tariffs, we are seeing improving market structure around bitcoin and other key crypto assets. In this episode, we analyze recent derivatives performance, including sideways perp funding rates and emerging opportunities in options skew as well as the collapse in Mantra’s OM tokens. Meanwhile, the macro environment demands caution amid the current liquidity crunch, even though we see some opportunistic buying from crypto natives at the margin while onchain data has revealed some steady bitcoin accumulation by long-term holders since the end of February. We evaluate the proximity of a recession through the lens of mortgage loan demand, DeFi borrowing rates, and volatility-management strategies. Don’t miss this episode as we look at how crypto and macro markets are shaping up for the month.Host: David Duong, CFA - Head of ResearchSpeakers:Georg Toropov, Senior CES Sales TraderSarah Williamson, Head of Financing TradingLinks:Monthly: How Do You Define a Crypto Bear Market?The Ultimate Guide to Ethereum’s Pectra UpgradeMarket Technicals: March 2025

This week, we dive into the evolving crypto and macro landscape—starting with the latest market signals: BTC dominance climbs to 69%, perp funding turns negative, and BTC options remain cautiously bearish. We also break down technical levels to watch, institutional flow trends, and how global equity valuations are influencing crypto sentiment.On the macro front, rising US-China uncertainty continue to take center stage. We assess potential ripple effects from escalating tariffs, a weakening yuan, and the PBOC’s monetary posture.In industry news, Ripple makes a $1.2B acquisition, and Apollo backs Plume’s push into tokenized assets. Onchain, stablecoin growth pauses while infrastructure protocols reclaim top revenue spots.We also share Coinbase updates: the May 9 launch of 24/7 derivatives trading, upcoming XRP futures, and progress in tokenized fund access through WisdomTree Connect.Topics Covered:Market Metrics: BTC dominance at 69%, flat-to-negative perp funding, bearish skew in options, and COIN50 reboundMacro Trends: China tariff escalation, yuan devaluation risk, Fed expectations and SPY valuation divergencesIndustry News: SEC stablecoin guidance, Ripple’s $1.2B deal, Apollo’s investment in Plume, and fundraises from Blackbird & CapOnchain Insights: Stablecoin growth stalls, Aave vote for Pendle PT as collateral, memecoin activity falls relative to overall DEX volumesCoinbase Updates: Derivatives launch (May 9), XRP Futures (Apr 21), WisdomTree tokenized funds, ML & Blockchain SummitUpcoming Catalysts: CPI + Jobless Claims (Thurs), FTX distributions (May 30), Pectra upgrade (end of April)Host:Ben Floyd, Head of Execution Services Speakers:David Han, Research AnalystGeorg Toropov, Senior CES Sales TraderLinks:Coinbase Derivatives is targeting May 9th to enable 24x7 trading for Bitcoin and Ether futures.XRP Futures likely to go live on April 21stWisdomTree Connect: 13 Tokenized Funds Now Available Across Base, Ethereum, Arbitrum, Avalanche and OptimismMachine Learning and Blockchain research summit on Thursday 8th MayCoinbase Blog - Unlocking Government Efficiency with Crypto and Blockchain

This week, we explore Fasanara’s approach to trading—how they identify inefficiencies, their evolving strategies, and what’s next for their platform. We also break down the latest market trends, including perp funding rates, ETF flows, and COIN50 index performance.Beyond markets, we dive into macro updates, covering Tariff Liberation Day on April 2nd, weaker JOLTs numbers, and expectations for non-farm payrolls. In  tokenization developments, we discuss Visa’s Tokenized Asset Platform, Mastercard’s blockchain-powered payment network, and the evolving stablecoin landscape.In the onchain section, we track TVL changes across major protocols, Ethereum’s DEX dominance over Solana, and Walrus Storage’s mainnet launch. Finally, we highlight key upcoming catalysts, including the FTX claims process starting on May 30th and broader market implications.Topics Covered:Fasanara’s Trading Strategies: How they identify market inefficiencies and their future plans.Market Update: Perp funding rates, ETF flows, and technical levels for BTC, ETH & key indices.Macro Outlook: Liberation Day impact, JOLTs data, and Non-Farm Payrolls expectations.Regulatory & Industry News: Visa’s tokenization plans, Mastercard’s blockchain network, and stablecoin legislation.Onchain Insights: TVL shifts, Ethereum vs. Solana DEX volumes, and Walrus Storage live on mainnet.Upcoming Catalysts: Tariff Liberation Day (April 2nd) and FTX large claims process (May 30th).Host: Ben Floyd, Head of Execution ServicesSpecial Guest:Alessandro Balata, Partner and Portfolio Manager at Fasanara DigitalSpeakers:David Duong, Head of Institutional ResearchDavid Han, Research AnalystGeorg Toropov, Senior CES Sales TraderLinks:Coinbase Derivatives, LLC now offers CFTC-regulated futures for Natural Gas and Cardano $ADACoinbase open-sources our multiparty computation (MPC) cryptography library, setting a new industry benchmark for cryptographic transparency.Greg Tusar, Coinbase Head of Institutional Product joins Capital Decanted discuss whether a pro-crypto US administration will spur increased institutional adoption in the world’s largest market.Max Branzburg, head of consumer talks about how crypto has evolved on the Tear Sheet PodcastCoinbase Institutional Research

This week, the team is joined by Brock Miller, Senior Staff Software Engineer, to discuss Coinbase Verified Pools—why we launched it, how it works, and what’s next. We also break down the latest market trends, including perp funding rates, ETF flows, and the SOL futures ETFs.Beyond markets, we dive into macro updates, covering the April 2nd tariff announcement, the Fed's QT adjustment, and key earnings to watch in April. Onchain, we look at the continued growth in stablecoins, BUIDL’s expansion to Solana, and new activity on Pumpswap and Polymarket. Finally, we highlight major Coinbase updates, including our Ethereum Validator Performance Report and a new institutional investor survey showing increasing crypto adoption. Check the show notes for all links.Topics Covered:Coinbase Verified Pools: Why we launched it and what’s next.Market Update: Perp funding, ETF flows, and technical levels for BTC, ETH & SPX.Macro Outlook: April 2nd tariff news, Fed QT slowdown, and key earnings ahead.Onchain Insights: Stablecoin growth, BUIDL expansion, and Solana’s DeFi shifts.Coinbase Updates: Ethereum validator report & institutional investor trends.Upcoming Catalysts: Pectra Hooli upgrade (March 26) and April 2nd macro events.Host:Ben Floyd, Head of Execution ServicesGuest:Brock Miller, Senior Staff Software EngineerSpeakers:David Duong, Head of Institutional ResearchDavid Han, Research AnalystGreg Sutton, Senior CES Sales TraderLinks:Ethereum Validator Performance ReportCoinbase Institutional Investor SurveyVerified Pools Announcement

This week, host Ben Floyd is joined by David Duong and Joshua Pak to break down the latest market action and key developments shaping the crypto landscape.We start with an overview of market trends, including ETF flows, basis, funding rates, CEX vs DEX volumes, and sector winners and losers. Then, we move into macro updates, discussing the CPI, the Fed’s next steps, GDPNow forecasts, and regulatory shifts—including growing support for The BITCOIN Act.Onchain, we highlight Solana’s five-year milestone, including some protocol highlights, and the latest in tokenized real-world assets. Finally, we wrap up with key catalysts to watch.We also celebrate four years of Coinbase Prime, our best-in-class platform that thousands of institutional clients use to trade, stake, finance, and custody crypto at scale. Coinbase also launched Coinbase for Governments to help bring them onchain.Topics Covered:Market Trends: ETF outflows, AI & memecoin sector moves, and BTC/ETH key levels.Macro & Regulation: Fed policy outlook, GDPNow, and crypto legislation updates.Onchain Insights: Solana’s five-year growth, ETH-based RWA inflows, and major protocol updates.Upcoming Catalysts: Key economic events, protocol launches, and Nvidia’s GTC conference.Host: Ben Floyd, Head of Execution ServicesSpeakers: David Duong, Head of Institutional Research Joshua Pak, Senior CES Sales TraderLinks:Coinbase Institutional ResearchCoinbase for GovernmentsLatest Coinbase Advertisement

This week, host Ben Floyd is joined by David Duong, David Han, and Greg Sutton to break down the latest market action and what’s on the horizon. We kick off with insights from our interview with Man AHL (Part of Man Group's Systematic Investment Business), exploring their approach to trend following and their evolving crypto strategy. From there, we dive into the macro landscape, reviewing the market movers of the past week, key support and liquidation levels, and what they signal for future price action. Onchain, we cover Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade, stablecoin supply growth, and the surprising decline in DEX volumes.To wrap up, we outline the most important upcoming catalysts that could shape market sentiment — plus, we’ve linked some essential reading from Man AHL and Coinbase Institutional Research in the show notes.Topics Covered:Man AHL Insights: Trend following strategies and crypto adoption.Macro & Market Movers: What’s been driving volatility and key levels to watch.Ethereum & DeFi: The Pectra upgrade, stablecoin expansion, and DEX activity.Catalyst Watch: Upcoming events and protocol changes that could move markets.Special GuestsTarek Abou Zeid, Partner at Man AHL and Global Head of Client Portfolio ManagementAndre Rzym, Partner and Portfolio Manager at Man AHLHost:Ben Floyd, Head of Execution ServicesSpeakers:David Duong, Head of Institutional ResearchDavid Han, Research AnalystGreg Sutton, Senior CES Sales TraderLinks:An Investors Guide to Crypto - Man AHLIn Crypto We Trend - Man AHLCoinbase Institutional Research

This week, host Ben Floyd is joined by David Han and Georg Toropov to navigate a tough crypto landscape. We break down Solana’s sharp decline—down nearly 50% from its highs—Ethereum nearing a death cross, and extreme fear gripping the market amidst over $1B in ETF outflows and widespread liquidations. We also cover the Bybit hack and its ripple effects across trading activity.On the onchain side, we dive into the drop in Solana DEX volumes, Pump.fun’s plan to launch its own AMM, and a wave of more recent mainnet launches from the likes of Berachain and Story, as well as Monad’s testnet debut.Meanwhile, macro factors add to the uncertainty, with rate cuts unlikely before summer. Client conversations reveal a lack of clear near-term catalysts with significant legislation potentially taking months to materialize. But we finish on a high note—Ethereum’s RWA market is growing in both value and adoption, even as the Pectra testnet hits delays.Links:Coinbase Research2025 Crypto OutlookTopics Covered:Market Weakness: SOL’s drop, ETH’s death cross risk, ETF outflows, and liquidations.Security Incident: The Bybit hack and market response.Onchain Activity: Solana DEX struggles, Pump AMMs, and major protocol launches.Macro & Sentiment: Delayed Fed cuts, client sentiment, and regulatory hurdles.Ethereum Outlook: Pectra testnet hiccups, but RWA growth as a bright spot.Host:Ben Floyd, Head of Execution ServicesSpeakers:David Han, Research AnalystGeorg Toropov, Senior CES Sales Trader

This week, we discuss bitcoin's range-bound trading and what upcoming option expiries might mean for price action. Additionally, the episode covers Solana's recent selloff, driven by concerns over memecoin launches and upcoming unlocks. FTX will begin repaying smaller creditors this week, which could have a positive impact on markets. We also review recent ETF applications and what their impact on spot trading flows may be. Lastly, David Han takes us through staking ETFs and potential changes at the CFTC.Links:Coinbase Research2025 Crypto OutlookTopics Covered:BTC option expiriesSolana price actionFTX repaymentsStaking ETFsHost: Joshua Pak, Senior CES TraderSpeakers:David Han, Research AnalystGregory Sutton, Senior CES Trader

In this engaging discussion, Ejaaz Ahamadeen, founder of 26 Crypto Capital and former Coinbase Product Manager, explores the transformative role of AI agents in the crypto space. He dives into their potential to streamline operations and enhance user experience. David Han, a Research Analyst at Coinbase, joins in, shedding light on recent market volatility and corporate cryptocurrency investments. They also discuss innovations like Uniswap Lab’s new Layer-2 solution and Lido’s vault upgrades, illuminating the future of decentralized finance.

This week, host Ben Floyd is joined by David Duong, David Han, and Greg Sutton to break down the latest macro and crypto market movements. We’ll dive into the impact of new tariffs on crypto, how the Fed might respond, and the key data points policymakers are watching next. We’ll also analyze weekend trading activity and BTC’s continued outperformance, alongside ETH’s relative weakness and overall funding rate trends.David Sacks’ press conference on a potential Bitcoin strategic reserve continues discussion on the role of BTC in national reserves, and we’ll also explore the broader implications of a potential U.S. sovereign wealth fund.On the onchain front, we’ll refresh on Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade, the implications of increasing validator balances, and the recent gas limit vote. We’ll also cover ETH’s inflation rate nearing BTC’s, Uniswap V4’s structural improvements, and the growing stablecoin supply, with $3B added this week—$2B on Ethereum alone. Finally, we compare DEX volumes to gauge onchain liquidity shifts.Links:Coinbase Research2025 Crypto OutlookTopics Covered:Macro & Markets: Tariff impact, Fed expectations, and key economic signals.Trading Trends: BTC strength on pullbacks, ETH underperformance, and weekend activity.Onchain Updates: Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade, validator changes, and gas limit vote.Stablecoin & DEX Activity: Supply growth and liquidity trends.Uniswap V4: Programmable hooks, improved routing, and liquidity migration patterns.Host: Ben Floyd, Head of Execution ServicesSpeakers:David Duong, Head of Institutional ResearchDavid Han, Research AnalystGreg Sutton, Senior CES Sales Trader