NEW YORK, January 4, 2026, 18:25 ET — Market closed
- Coinbase shares ended Friday up 4.6% after CEO Brian Armstrong outlined a 2026 multi-asset push.
- Bitcoin held near $91,440 on Sunday, keeping crypto-linked stocks in focus ahead of Monday’s open.
- Traders are watching the next earnings window and a busy U.S. data week for risk appetite signals.
Coinbase Global (COIN.O) closed Friday up 4.6% at $236.53 after Chief Executive Brian Armstrong laid out a 2026 plan to broaden the crypto exchange into what he called an “everything exchange.” The S&P 500 rose 0.2% on the day. 1
The roadmap matters now because Coinbase still leans heavily on transaction fees that rise and fall with crypto prices and volatility. A credible move into multiple asset classes would broaden its revenue base and reduce dependence on spot crypto trading, a business that can swing sharply from quarter to quarter.
Crypto-linked stocks remain sensitive to bitcoin’s direction, with the token trading around $91,440 on Sunday. Bitcoin’s swings can drive customer activity on exchanges — a key input for Coinbase’s quarterly revenue.
Armstrong said in a New Year’s post that Coinbase’s first priority for 2026 is to “grow the everything exchange globally” across crypto, equities, prediction markets and commodities. He also pointed to futures and options — derivatives that let investors trade price exposure for a later date or with defined risk. 2
His second priority was scaling stablecoins and payments. Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to hold a steady value, typically pegged to the dollar, and exchanges can earn fees tied to stablecoin use and related services.
Armstrong’s third priority was bringing more activity “onchain” — meaning executed on a blockchain — through Coinbase’s developer tools and Base, its Ethereum-based network aimed at faster, cheaper transactions. That strategy would deepen Coinbase’s role beyond brokerage-style trading into infrastructure.
The expansion pitch also pushes Coinbase into a more crowded lane, including retail brokerage platforms such as Robinhood that already mix stock and crypto trading. Traders also noted the stock’s rebound put it back within reach of the $240 area, where it struggled to hold in late December.
But the plan carries execution and regulatory risk. Rolling out equities and commodity products at scale would likely require additional licenses and could draw heavier scrutiny, while a pullback in crypto prices can quickly cool trading volumes and fee income.
The next company test is Coinbase’s fourth-quarter results, when investors will focus on transaction activity, subscription-and-services revenue and any updates on how quickly new products can contribute. Wall Street Horizon lists Coinbase’s next earnings date as unconfirmed for Feb. 19 after the close. 3
Macro data could set the tone first. The ISM is due to release its Manufacturing PMI on Jan. 5 and Services PMI on Jan. 7, and the Fed’s next policy meeting is scheduled for Jan. 27-28; the nearer-term hurdle for crypto-linked names is the U.S. payrolls report on Jan. 9. 4
