Coinbase has reached a new milestone: $420 billion in assets under management (AUM), surpassing the 21st-largest U.S. bank in total assets.
This achievement, highlighted by CEO Brian Armstrong, reinforces the growing role of crypto exchanges in traditional finance.
More Than Just an Exchange, Says CEO
Armstrong framed Coinbase’s role differently, suggesting that if classified as a brokerage, it would rank as the 8th largest brokerage in terms of AUM. This signals an evolution beyond traditional banking toward a multi-functional financial platform.
His vision aligns with a broader trend: crypto companies integrate traditional financial services, including lending, payments, and asset management, into a unified digital ecosystem. Coinbase’s infrastructure could eventually resemble a fully-fledged neobank, streamlining financial transactions while reducing reliance on banking intermediaries.
Furthermore, Yield Guy recently highlighted the massive surge in spot volumes for 2024 on Coinbase, with 2025 shaping up to be an even bigger year for the exchange.
As one of the largest CEXs globally, Coinbase has expanded its financial influence, positioning itself not just as a trading platform but as a major financial institution. Armstrong compared the exchange’s standing to New York Community Bancorp (NYCB), which holds $112.9 billion in assets. The bank recently reported a $260 million quarterly loss, while Coinbase posted a $273 million net profit, marking its first profitable quarter since 2021. The platform currently has 67.1 million users visiting it every month.
