Coinbase to expand beyond crypto with tokenized assets, stocks

Coinbase plans to expand its trading app to include tokenized real-world assets, stocks, derivatives, prediction markets, and early-stage token sales, according to Max Branzburg’s statement to CNBC on July 31, 2025.

Coinbase is a US-based cryptocurrency exchange.

The company said these new features will launch for US users in the coming months, with international expansion to follow based on regulatory approvals.

This move puts Coinbase in closer competition with platforms like Robinhood, Gemini, and Kraken, which have also started offering tokenized equities outside the US.

The announcement follows the US Securities and Exchange Commission introducing “Project Crypto,” aimed at updating securities regulations for cryptocurrency-based trading.

Tokenization of traditional assets has gained traction this year as the Trump administration works to roll back restrictive US cryptocurrency policies.

Coinbase’s core business remains trading for retail and institutional investors, but the firm is expanding its consumer offerings and launched the Base app two weeks ago, aiming to make it the West’s answer to a WeChat-style super app.

🔗 Source: CNBC

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Tokenization represents a massive untapped market opportunity

Coinbase’s expansion into tokenized real-world assets targets what could become one of the largest financial markets of the next decade.

The tokenized real-world asset market is projected to reach $16 trillion by 2030, representing approximately 10% of global GDP1. Currently, only $3 billion in real-world assets are tokenized, suggesting the market is still in its earliest stages2.

This growth spans multiple asset classes that Coinbase plans to offer. Real estate tokenization alone is expected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2026, growing at 22.8% annually1. Tokenized commodities could hit $4.5 billion by 2025, while private equity tokenization may reach $1.7 trillion by 20301.

The scale of opportunity helps explain why major financial institutions like BNY Mellon and JP Morgan have made significant investments in tokenization infrastructure3. For Coinbase, successfully capturing even a small percentage of this market could significantly expand their current crypto-focused revenue streams.

2️⃣ Regulatory timing creates a strategic window for expansion

Coinbase’s announcement came just hours after the SEC launched “Project Crypto,” suggesting careful coordination with evolving regulatory frameworks.