ICE vs Coinbase: The Race for Dominance in a 24/7 Market
Yahoo Finance·2026-01-21 19:51

Core Insights - The traditional concept of market hours is becoming obsolete as digital assets trade 24/7, blurring the lines between traditional equities and digital markets [3] - Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) is making significant moves to capture the always-on trading economy, highlighted by its $1 billion investment in Polymarket, which legitimizes prediction markets as a viable asset class [4] - The tokenization of stocks by ICE is not a setback for the crypto market but rather an opportunity for different investment strategies, positioning ICE as a crypto infrastructure investment and Coinbase as a leader in digital derivatives [5] Company Performance - ICE's financial strength is underscored by its ability to fund expansion through cash flows from established businesses, contrasting with startups that often rely on cash burn [6] - In Q3 2025, ICE reported net revenues of $2.4 billion, reflecting a 3% year-over-year increase, and an operating cash flow of $3.4 billion year-to-date [7] Market Positioning - ICE is revitalizing its mortgage technology segment and expanding into decentralized markets to drive future growth [8] - Coinbase has established a strong position in the global crypto derivatives market through strategic acquisitions and subscription service growth, complementing ICE's initiatives [8]