Coinbase Applies to Become National Trust Company

Core Viewpoint - Coinbase is seeking to expand its services by applying for a national trust company charter, aiming to enhance its custody business while maintaining regulatory clarity and oversight [2][3][4]. Group 1: Expansion Plans - The application for the charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is intended to build on Coinbase's custody business and facilitate the launch of new products, including payments and related services [2][3]. - Coinbase emphasizes that it does not intend to become a bank, focusing instead on innovation within a clear regulatory framework [2][4]. Group 2: Regulatory Environment - The company advocates for uniform rules and regulations for the cryptocurrency market, highlighting the ongoing efforts in Congress to establish a clear market structure [4]. - An OCC charter would streamline oversight for new offerings and support the integration of digital assets into traditional finance [4]. Group 3: Market Position - Coinbase holds over 80% of the custody market share for crypto ETFs, indicating a significant role in the institutional adoption of cryptocurrency [5]. - The growth of institutional-grade custody needs is driven by the increasing institutionalization of crypto markets, particularly with the introduction of spot bitcoin ETFs [5][6]. Group 4: Market Impact - The approval of spot-crypto ETFs by the Securities and Exchange Commission has led to explosive growth in the market, with BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust reaching a market capitalization of approximately $90 billion [6].