Coinbase Opens IPO Share Access to US Retail Investors, Expanding Beyond Crypto Into Traditional Finance

Coinbase is expanding beyond digital assets into traditional financial markets by launching an IPO share offering service for US retail investors.

The Block reported on September 21 that Coinbase will start with Oura’s IPO, which is scheduled for this week, allowing eligible US retail customers to request share allocations through its app.

Investors can request a specific number of shares at the IPO price before trading begins. Final allocations may be filled in full or in part depending on demand, and some investors may receive no shares at all.

Coinbase described the feature as another step in expanding its “Everything Exchange” strategy. It said US customers can now access investment opportunities in sought-after companies before they begin trading on public markets.

The service will be offered as a securities product through Coinbase Capital Markets. Apex will handle order execution, clearing and custody.

In June, Coinbase launched “pre-IPO perpetual futures,” beginning with SpaceX, for eligible users outside the US. The product is a derivative that offers exposure to price moves in private companies rather than direct ownership of unlisted shares.

Coinbase is also widening its lineup of traditional financial products to include stocks and options. The company plans to let US customers transfer existing stock portfolios to Coinbase and trade major stocks, indexes and exchange-traded funds.

Earlier in September, Coinbase filed registration documents with the US Securities and Exchange Commission as it seeks to list stock-based perpetual futures.