Coinbase Announces USDC-Backed Stablecoins, Stock Trading, and AI Tools at Conference

• Stock trading integration: Coinbase now enables 24/7 trading of stocks and ETFs in the US, competing with platforms like Robinhood.

• Prediction markets backed by Kalshi allow betting on events like sports and politics, with rollout starting immediately.

• AI adviser and custom stablecoins: New tools for personalized investment advice and branded stablecoins backed by USDC, targeting institutional and retail users.

Coinbase unveils innovative offerings at System Update 2025: stock trading, AI advisers, and more. Discover how these expansions transform crypto into a full financial ecosystem—explore now for investment opportunities.

What are the new offerings from Coinbase’s System Update conference?

Coinbase’s new offerings from its 2025 System Update conference represent a significant evolution beyond its core cryptocurrency exchange services. The announcements include stock trading capabilities, prediction markets, an AI-powered financial adviser, custom stablecoins, tokenization platforms, enhanced decentralized trading, expanded futures contracts, and global access to its Base blockchain app. These features aim to create a unified, 24/7 financial platform leveraging blockchain technology for broader asset classes. By integrating traditional finance elements with crypto infrastructure, Coinbase positions itself as a one-stop solution for investors worldwide.

How does Coinbase’s stock trading feature enhance user access?

Coinbase’s introduction of stock trading marks a pivotal shift, allowing users to trade stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) directly on the platform with 24/7 availability powered by crypto rails. Rolling out initially in the United States, this feature was highlighted by Max Branzburg, Coinbase’s head of consumer and business products, as a milestone toward global, round-the-clock access without traditional market limitations. Supporting data from financial analysts indicates that such integrations could boost platform retention by up to 30%, drawing from similar expansions by competitors. The service competes head-on with established players like Robinhood and eToro, which have long combined stocks and crypto, while also preempting tokenized stock offerings from rivals like Kraken and Gemini outside the US. Branzburg emphasized the seamless user experience, enabling trades from anywhere using crypto for settlement, which reduces friction and enhances liquidity. Expert insights from Citizens Financial Group underscore the potential, projecting that hybrid trading platforms could capture a larger share of the $100 trillion global securities market by streamlining cross-asset operations.

Building on this, Coinbase also launched prediction markets in partnership with Kalshi, enabling users to wager on real-world events such as sports outcomes and political developments. This addition taps into a burgeoning sector, with the same analysts from Citizens Financial Group forecasting prediction market revenues to surge fivefold to $10 billion by 2030. Rollout begins immediately, with full US availability to follow, positioning Coinbase against incumbents like Polymarket, DraftKings, and Robinhood in this dynamic space.

The AI-powered Coinbase Advisor represents another cornerstone, offering personalized financial guidance across crypto, stocks, and prediction markets. Developed under the leadership of product lead Lincoln Murr, the tool draws on a team with 75 years of combined portfolio management experience to generate actionable plans from user queries or market news. Currently in beta for select users, it mirrors robo-advisory services from peers but integrates deeply with blockchain for real-time execution. Murr noted its curated approach ensures reliability, avoiding generic AI pitfalls seen in unregulated tools.

Custom stablecoins emerged as a innovative offering, allowing businesses to create branded versions backed by USDC. Infrastructure lead Alex Lovett described this as embedding corporate identity into transactions, with partnerships underway with wallet platforms like Solflare and Flipcash, plus yield protocol R2. Launches are slated for the coming months, addressing the growing demand for tailored digital dollars in enterprise applications. According to reports from blockchain research firms like Chainalysis, custom stablecoin adoption could facilitate $500 billion in annual transaction volume by 2027, driven by compliance and interoperability needs.

Coinbase Tokenize provides an end-to-end solution for institutional asset tokenization, combining issuance, custody, compliance, and trading. CEO Brian Armstrong highlighted its fully backed, transparent, and regulatory-compliant framework, set to launch soon. This aligns with industry trends, as institutions like the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation explore tokenizing liquid assets such as treasuries and equities. Coinbase’s blog post indicated early 2026 updates, underscoring the platform’s role in bridging traditional finance with blockchain, potentially unlocking trillions in on-chain value.

Decentralized trading expansions include deeper integration with Solana via the Jupiter aggregator, enabling instant token swaps within the Coinbase app without awaiting centralized listings. Product head Branzburg explained this allows trading newly created tokens seamlessly, with additional networks planned. This move supports the industry’s aggregation era, where “super apps” consolidate liquidity across chains.

Futures and perpetual contracts have been streamlined for US traders, offering over 30 live contracts across crypto, commodities, and equity indices, with hundreds more forthcoming. Branzburg praised the intuitive interface and tax efficiencies, requiring less upfront capital for broader access.

Finally, the Base app—Coinbase’s Ethereum layer-2 solution—went global in over 140 countries, rebranded from the wallet app to include social and chat features. No native token announcement was made, though community anticipation remains high for such developments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coinbase Advisor and how does it work?

Coinbase Advisor is an AI-driven financial management tool that provides investment recommendations across crypto, stocks, and prediction markets based on user inputs or news events. It generates executable plans within the platform, backed by experienced portfolio managers. Currently in beta, it ensures personalized, compliant advice for diverse portfolios.

When will Coinbase’s custom stablecoins become available?

Custom stablecoins, backed by USDC and designed for branded transactions, are partnering with platforms like Solflare, Flipcash, and R2. Initial launches are expected in the coming months, enabling businesses to integrate stable value seamlessly into their ecosystems for enhanced transaction control and user engagement.

Key Takeaways

• Expanded Asset Classes: Coinbase’s stock trading and futures integrations democratize 24/7 access to traditional markets via crypto infrastructure.
• Innovation in Tools: AI advisers and prediction markets provide data-driven insights, with projections of $10 billion market growth by 2030.
• Future-Proofing Finance: Tokenization and custom stablecoins position users to capitalize on blockchain’s role in global asset management—start exploring these features today.

Conclusion

Coinbase’s 2025 System Update announcements, encompassing new offerings like stock trading, AI-powered advisers, and custom stablecoins, solidify its evolution into a multifaceted financial platform. By prioritizing compliance, innovation, and user-centric design, these developments address key industry needs while demonstrating Coinbase’s expertise in blending crypto with traditional finance. As regulatory landscapes evolve, staying informed on such Coinbase expansions will be crucial for investors; consider integrating these tools into your strategy for long-term growth.