Coinbase Institutional Market Call

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

This week, we explore the evolving crypto landscape with regulatory updates, major market movements, and macroeconomic insights. The SEC sees changes with Mark Uyeda and Hester Peirce taking center stage, while the SAB 121 repeal opens new opportunities for banks holding crypto. The CME teases potential futures for SOL and XRP, and BlackRock files for in-kind redemptions on its spot BTC ETF (IBIT).We analyze the market reaction to Deepseek's launch, which topped Apples's U.S. App Store and led a repricing of many AI- linked assets. Corporate crypto buying also continues as Metaplanet announces a $745M raise to purchase BTC and MicroStrategy adds $1.1B in BTC, supported by a bold $2B perpetual strike preferred stock offering. ETF inflows surge to $1.9B, showcasing sustained institutional interest.On the macro front, we preview tariff updates, the FOMC meeting, and December PCE data. In the Ethereum ecosystem,  the Ethereum Foundation has allocated 50K ETH to DeFi protocols, with Paradigm calling for quicker network upgrades. The Pectra upgrade also receives a tentative March 11 release date. Finally, we spotlight Jupiter's market outperformance driven by its buyback plans and Moonshot acquisitions.Links:Coinbase Research2025 Crypto OutlookTopics Covered:Regulatory Updates: SEC leadership changes and SAB 121 repeal implications.Market Movers: Deepseek's impact, CME futures possibilities, and IBIT's filing for in-kind creation and redemptions.Corporate Activity: Metaplanet's raise, MicroStrategy's BTC purchase, and ETF inflows.Macro Overview: Tariff and FOMC previews, PCE data implications.Ethereum Update: Pectra update and Paradigm's push for faster upgrades.Jupiter's Surge: Buyback plans and Moonshot investment.Host:Ben Floyd, Head of Execution ServicesPanelists:David Han, Research AnalystGeorg Toropov, Senior CES Sales Trader

We unpack the explosive market moves as Bitcoin hits a new all-time high of $110K and Solana reaches $293 as crypto welcomes President Trump. TRUMP Coin’s debut contributed to the market frenzy, while COIN50 posted an impressive 8.74% weekly gain, signaling strong momentum as new users flood into the crypto space.We provide a financing overview, highlighting DeFi lending growth on Solana, funding rate fluctuations, and weekend liquidations. Onchain activity breaks records with DEX volumes at all-time highs, despite some network degradation and Ethereum’s leadership reshuffle. The team also runs through Coinbase’s partnership with Morpho in the U.S. that now allows clients to take USD loans using DeFi protocols secured by their Bitcoin, marking a significant innovation in crypto-backed lending.ETF inflows soar with $2B in Bitcoin ETFs and $213M in Ethereum ETFs, alongside MicroStrategy’s bold addition of $1.1B in BTC.On the macro front, we preview the upcoming Fed meeting and discuss its implications for crypto markets.Topics Covered:Market Highlights: BTC & SOL ATHs, Trump Coin launch, and COIN50’s strong performance.Financing Trends: DeFi lending on Solana and funding rate insights.On-Chain Activity: Record DEX volumes, network challenges, and Ethereum’s leadership changes.ETF and Corporate Moves: Large inflows and MicroStrategy’s BTC holdings.Macro Preview: Key updates ahead of the Fed meeting.Links:Coinbase Research2025 Crypto OutlookLiquid Staking WebinarHost: Ben Floyd, Head of Execution ServicesPanelists: David Duong, Head of Institutional Research David Han, Research AnalystZaid Khan, Head of EMEA Financing 

This episode unpacks the latest developments in crypto markets as corporates like Intesa Sanpaolo and Genius Group join the Bitcoin buying wave, with MicroStrategy’s premium holding steady at 1.91. We also highlight Tether’s move to El Salvador and the growing traction of IBIT options, now capturing 50% of Deribit’s open interest, signaling surging institutional demand. An ETF flow update and client strategies reveal how the big players are positioning themselves for 2024.We analyze funding rates, the Ondo unlock, and how to interpret these trends in relation to market dynamics. Recent aggressive crypto acquisitions reflect growing confidence in the new regulatory environment, paired with an update on Coinbase’s Third Circuit Court of Appeals filing.On the macro front, we discuss last week’s CPI, PPI, and employment data and we explore fiscal policy outlooks, debt sustainability, and potential policy shifts shaping the economic landscape. Additionally, we discuss China’s 10Y yield dropping from 2.1% to 1.65% and it's potential impact on global liquidity.In the on-chain segment, we break down stablecoin borrow rates, with Aave at 10-11% and Sky peaking at 12.5%, alongside a surge in USDS growth (25% in the past week). Finally, we examine Sony’s L2 launch on the OP stack, signaling a shift in how corporates leverage blockchain for Web3 adoption, and the interplay between public and permissioned chains.Topics Covered:Corporate Moves: New entrants into BTC buying, MicroStrategy premium analysis.Institutional Trends: IBIT options, ETF flows, and client strategies.Funding Rates & Unlocks: How market dynamics shape strategies.Regulatory Environment: Crypto acquisitions and Coinbase court updates.Macro Update: Key data reflections, China’s stimulus, and fiscal policy outlook.On-Chain: Stablecoin borrow rates, USDS growth, and Sony’s L2 launch for Web3 corporates.Host:Ben Floyd, Head of Execution ServicesPanelists: David Duong, Head of Institutional Research David Han, Research Analyst Georg Toropov, Senior CES Sales Trader

This week, we explore Bitcoin’s increasing institutional adoption, with MicroStrategy expanding its holdings and other companies considering BTC for their balance sheets. We analyze ETF flows over the past two weeks and provide a Q1 market outlook, focusing on key drivers and emerging trends. In the macro segment, we examine pro-crypto regulatory appointments, potential legislation from a crypto-friendly Congress, and the Fed's rate outlook for H1. We also discuss the implications of economic data volatility and what Canada’s potential new leadership could mean for Bitcoin. Additionally, we highlight global moves toward Bitcoin as a strategic reserve.Onchain, we delve into the growth of protocols like Morpho, Babylon, and Pendle, alongside AI agents gaining traction, with Eliza ai16z’s GitHub surpassing Google Gemini in stars. We also explore the significance of high DEX volumes and Backpack’s acquisition of FTX's EU operations, shedding light on its impact on European derivatives markets.Topics Covered:Market: Institutional BTC adoption, ETF flows, and Q1 market outlook.Macro: Pro-crypto regulatory changes, potential legislation, Fed rate trajectory, and global BTC reserves.On-Chain: Protocol growth, AI agent innovation, and European market developments through Backpack’s FTX acquisition.Host: Ben Floyd, Head of Execution ServicesPanelists: David Duong, Head of Institutional Research David Han, Research Analyst Georg Toropov, CES Sales Trader

Joshua Pak, a CES Sales Trader at Coinbase, shares insights on Bitcoin reaching new heights, driven by institutional investments from companies like MicroStrategy. He discusses the increasing confidence in BTC, highlighted by BlackRock's recommendation for a 2% allocation. The conversation shifts to onchain trends, including the rise of stablecoins and AI-driven memes, and features the momentum of Pudgy Penguins' token launch. Lastly, Pak offers a glimpse into Coinbase's outlook for 2025, anticipating regulatory impacts and market dynamics.

 In this episode, we break down a turbulent week in crypto markets, starting with a wave of liquidations driven by recent volatility. We explore ETF flows, contrasting ETH and BTC trends, and analyze the resilience of CME basis despite normalized funding rates.Corporate treasury expansion takes center stage as we highlight significant Bitcoin acquisitions by MicroStrategy, MARA Holdings, and others.On the regulatory front, David Sacks' new appointment sparks debate on crypto policy direction. Onchain developments include Google’s intriguing Willow project, the UK’s blocking of Pump’s frontend, and Pudgy Penguins' rise as a top NFT collection. Plus, Floki’s debut debit card marks another milestone in crypto adoption.We also review the macro outlook, previewing the upcoming CPI release and its potential ripple effects on the market.Topics Covered:Market: Liquidations, ETF updates, and CME basis trends.Client Conversations: Strategic positioning, rotation, and profit-taking.Bitcoin Miners & Treasuries: Bold moves by MARA and MicroStrategy.Macro & Regulation: CPI preview and shifting Fed leadership dynamics.Onchain Trends: Google’s qubits, NFT reshuffles, and token launches.Host: Ben Floyd, Head of Execution ServicesPanelists: David Duong, Head of Institutional Research David Han, Research Analyst Georg Toropov, Senior CES Sales Trader

Cindy Leow, co-founder of Drift Protocol, shares insights on their innovative Solana-based decentralized exchange that offers high-leverage trading options. She delves into the implications of using 50x leverage and discusses risk management strategies. Meanwhile, David Han analyzes the effects of recent political events in South Korea on crypto exchanges and the shift in investor sentiment. The conversation also touches on the rising interest in altcoins as retail traders return to the market, showcasing the dynamic nature of today's crypto landscape.