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Coinbase Analyst 'Cautiously Optimistic' On Stock With Balanced Risk/Reward, Says Regulatory Environment Is Positive And Negative
COINCoinbase(COIN) Benzinga·2025-03-20 17:07

Core Viewpoint - Coinbase is viewed as a balanced risk/reward opportunity for investors, with long-term growth potential in the cryptocurrency sector, according to Goldman Sachs analyst James Yaro [1][2]. Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - James Yaro assigned a Neutral rating to Coinbase with a price target of 195,whilepreviousanalystWillNancealsorateditNeutralbutwithahigherpricetargetof195, while previous analyst Will Nance also rated it Neutral but with a higher price target of 350 [1]. Growth Potential - Yaro believes that Coinbase has long-term growth prospects as the cryptocurrency ecosystem expands, benefiting from both retail and institutional trading, as well as a growing subscription and services business [2][4]. Regulatory Environment - The current regulatory environment is seen as a double-edged sword; while it could support Coinbase's growth, it may also attract more competitors from the financial services sector, potentially impacting market share and pricing [3]. Valuation and Profitability - Coinbase's valuation is considered fair, trading close to the peer mean price-to-earnings ratio for brokerage exchanges and fintechs. The company is expected to achieve sustainable adjusted profitability even if cryptocurrency prices decline by up to 50% [4]. Subscription and Services Growth - The subscription and services segments are anticipated to grow over time, with stablecoins expected to see future upside. However, there is caution regarding the impact of interest rates on subscription revenue [5]. Stock Performance - As of the latest update, Coinbase's stock is down 1.13% to 187.60,withayeartodatedeclineof26187.60, with a year-to-date decline of 26% in 2025, and it has traded within a 52-week range of 146.14 to $349.75 [5].