Coinbase shares rise as ‘ambitious expansion’ wins analyst praise

Core Viewpoint - Coinbase is expanding its offerings to include equity trading, AI-powered tools, tokenization, and stablecoin infrastructure, which has positively impacted its stock price [1][2]. Group 1: Product Expansion - The introduction of U.S. equity trading and perpetual equity futures for non-U.S. users indicates a significant shift in Coinbase's core business model [2][5]. - The rollout of branded stablecoins and the expansion of the Base App are seen as crucial steps for long-term customer engagement [3]. - The addition of an AI-powered advisor is expected to simplify investment decisions and enhance customer retention, particularly for less experienced users [6]. Group 2: Market Impact - The announcements are believed to meaningfully increase Coinbase's total addressable market, providing opportunities in both subscription and transaction-based revenue models [3]. - Analysts view the coordinated product expansion as a transition from a crypto-only exchange to a broader financial platform, with stock trading being a notable shift [5]. - Derivatives, including equity futures with up to 20x leverage, are part of the growth strategy, potentially leading to higher volume and revenue stability [7]. Group 3: Analyst Ratings - J.P. Morgan rates Coinbase as overweight with a price target of $244.19, reflecting confidence in the company's growth trajectory [4].