Core Insights - Coinbase has announced a significant expansion into stock trading and event-based prediction markets, raising concerns within the crypto community about the industry's health as major token prices decline [1][8] - The launch is perceived by some commentators as a defensive strategy rather than a sign of organic growth, indicating potential challenges for the crypto sector [2][5] Coinbase's New Offerings - Coinbase has initiated commission-free stock trading for U.S. users, allowing them to buy and sell equities and exchange-traded funds directly within the main app [3] - Users can manage both stock and crypto positions side by side and trade outside standard market hours [3] - The platform has also introduced event-based prediction markets, enabling users to bet on outcomes of real-world events, with initial contracts linked to markets operated by Kalshi [4] Community Reaction - The response from the crypto community has been mixed, with some viewing the announcement as a troubling sign for the sector, suggesting that the pivot to stocks indicates a lack of confidence in crypto [5][6] - Some traders expressed concerns that the new offerings might divert demand away from crypto trading [6] Market Context - The overall crypto market has experienced a significant decline, with prices falling over 30% from their all-time high, which peaked at approximately $4.27 trillion on October 6 [9] - Analysts warn that if selling pressure continues, total crypto market capitalization could approach critical support levels [8]