Crypto exchange Coinbase has made an announcement regarding the expansion of its non-US spot markets offering for institutional investors. Starting December 14, 2023, eligible non-US institutional investors will be able to access BTC/USDC and ETH/USDC on the Coinbase International Exchange. The exchange has plans to further extend this offering to retail investors in the near future.

Coinbase’s Expansion of Non-US Spot Markets

In an announcement published on December 13, Coinbase revealed the launch of spot trading markets for Bitcoin and Ethereum for eligible institutional clients using the Coinbase International Exchange. The trading pairs will be available against USDC, with BTC/USDC and ETH/USDC becoming accessible from Thursday, December 14.

Non-US institutional customers will have access to these pairs via API.

The expansion aims to cater to the unique needs of Coinbase’s global user base and reinforce its strategic mission to provide customers with trusted products and services.

Coinbase intends to focus initially on building liquidity and a robust foundation for the listed non-US spot markets. However, it plans to gradually expand this product to retail investors and include more crypto assets over the coming months. Additionally, the exchange will introduce features to enable new trading strategies and enhance capital efficiency.

The international exchange was launched by Coinbase in May, following a regulatory crackdown by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Since its launch, the platform has reportedly onboarded over 100 institutions. In the third quarter alone, the international platform registered nearly $10 billion in trading volumes for perpetual futures.

Furthermore, growth included the launch of perpetual futures for eligible retail users on the company’s Coinbase Advanced, alongside the listing of 15 perpetual contracts that account for “over 70% of the addressable perpetual futures trading market.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How will the expansion impact non-US institutional investors?

The expansion will allow eligible non-US institutional investors to access BTC/USDC and ETH/USDC on the Coinbase International Exchange via API, starting from December 14, 2023.

2. Will the offering be extended to retail investors?

Yes, Coinbase plans to extend this offering to retail investors in the near future, along with the inclusion of more crypto assets over the coming months.

3. What are Coinbase’s plans for the expansion of the non-US spot markets?

Coinbase aims to initially focus on building liquidity and a robust foundation for the listed non-US spot markets. Subsequently, the exchange plans to gradually expand this product to retail investors and introduce features designed to enable new trading strategies and enhance capital efficiency.