Coinbase to Acquire Deribit: Becoming the Most Comprehensive Global Crypto Derivatives Platform

Coinbase has entered into an agreement to acquire Deribit, the world’s leading crypto options exchange with approximately $30 billion of current open interest [1]. This strategic acquisition significantly advances Coinbase’s derivatives business, establishing Coinbase as the premier global platform for crypto derivatives.

Coinbase are excited about this acquisition for the following reasons:

• Creating the Most Comprehensive Institutional Derivatives Platform: Deribit is the global leader in crypto options. Deribit’s robust options platform complements Coinbase’s rapidly growing US futures and international perpetual futures businesses, completing our derivatives offering. This is an important step toward our goal of providing traders access to spot, futures, perpetual futures, and options trading – all in one seamless, capital-efficient platform.

• Market Leadership & Immediate Scale: This acquisition makes Coinbase the global leader in crypto derivatives by open interest and options volume. [2] Deribit facilitated over $1 trillion in trading volume last year across key markets ex-US, with strong demand from institutional and advanced traders. We believe crypto options are on the cusp of significant expansion, similar to the equity options boom of the 1990s – this acquisition positions Coinbase to lead this growth.

• Durable, Diversified Revenues and Enhanced Profitability: Deribit will immediately enhance profitability and add diversity and durability to our trading revenues upon close. Options trading revenues are typically less cyclical than spot trading, as traders utilize options to manage risk during both rising and falling markets. Deribit has a consistent track record of generating positive Adjusted EBITDA which we believe will grow as a combined entity.

• Accelerating Their Global Derivatives Strategy: With Deribit’s strong presence and professional client base, Coinbase is making its most substantial move yet to accelerate our international growth strategy. Our complementary footprint strategically positions Coinbase within the sizable global crypto derivatives markets.

In the U.S., their retail users have access to futures trading via Coinbase Financial Markets and Coinbase Derivatives Exchange. Outside the U.S., our International Exchange offers spot and perpetual futures products. With Deribit, they will expand our international footprint even further, providing institutional and advanced traders access to robust options markets.

“We’re excited to join forces with Coinbase to power a new era in global crypto derivatives,” said Deribit CEO Luuk Strijers. “As the leading crypto options platform, we’ve built a strong, profitable business, and this acquisition will accelerate the foundation we laid while providing traders with even more opportunities across spot, futures, perpetuals, and options – all under one trusted brand. Together with Coinbase, we’re set to shape the future of the global crypto derivatives market.”