In a strategic move to expand its trading offerings, Coinbase is executing a coinbase acquisition that targets event-driven markets and deeper derivatives integration.
Summary
Coinbase moves to buy The Clearing Company
Coinbase has agreed to acquire The Clearing Company, a San Francisco–based startup specializing in prediction markets, to bolster its newly launched event-based trading platform. The deal brings in a team that has previously built sophisticated markets infrastructure, although financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The Clearing Company is led by Toni Gemayel, who previously served as head of growth at prediction market venue Kalshi. Moreover, the firm includes veterans with experience at Polymarket and Kalshi, positioning Coinbase to accelerate its roadmap for complex, event-linked trading products.
Strengthening event-based and prediction markets
The transaction, expected to close in January, comes as prediction markets continue to gain momentum, with weekly notional volume now exceeding $4 billion, according to Dune analytics data. Last week, Coinbase began allowing users to trade on outcomes of real-world events through a partnership with Kalshi, covering political elections, economic releases, cultural moments, and sports results.
According to Coinbase, the deal adds a team with deep expertise in designing and scaling event-based trading systems. That said, the integration will also enhance compliance and risk infrastructure, as the acquired group includes a former chief compliance officer from Kalshi.
The Everything Exchange vision
Coinbase has been positioning its platform as an Everything Exchange , aiming to host a wide range of instruments from novel cryptocurrencies and perpetual futures contracts to stocks and prediction products. Last week, the exchange reiterated plans to broaden functionality to include listed equities alongside its core digital asset and derivatives offering.
However, the competitive landscape is intensifying. Rivals such as Robinhood, Kraken and Gemini have already begun rolling out equity trading and prediction market tools to their users, suggesting that multi-asset platforms are becoming the new standard in retail and professional trading.
Funding history and regulatory ambitions
In August, The Clearing Company raised $15 million in a seed round led by Union Square Ventures, with participation from Coinbase Ventures. The funding highlighted growing investor interest in event-driven financial infrastructure and helped the startup accelerate product development.
Moreover, The Clearing Company deepened its regulatory engagement last month when it applied to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for a license to operate a clearinghouse. The application underscores the startup’s intent to sit at the core of clearing and settlement for event-based contracts, an area where Coinbase could benefit from enhanced in-house capabilities.
Outlook for Coinbase and prediction markets
As prediction markets show continued growth in volumes and mainstream attention, this coinbase acquisition of The Clearing Company is designed to give Coinbase a specialized team, tested technology, and a stronger compliance framework. Taken together, these elements should help the exchange build out a more diversified trading ecosystem that aligns with its Everything Exchange ambitions while responding to rising competition across digital asset and traditional financial markets.
