Coinbase International’s newly launched offshore derivatives exchange witnessed a significant uptick in trading volumes, reaching a record $287 million on August 18, nearing the $300 million threshold, as per statistics from The Block’s data dashboard.
Introduced in May, the platform has rapidly gained traction, registering daily trading volumes exceeding $100 million consistently since August 14. The spike in activity is an evident result of Coinbase’s strategic push to bolster its presence on the global front, as outlined in its Q2 earnings report.
The decision to expand internationally arrives amidst increasing regulatory uncertainties in the U.S. and the ongoing legal proceedings between Coinbase and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which initiated a lawsuit against the firm in June.
Despite these challenges, Coinbase’s endeavors seem to be bearing fruit. As highlighted in their recent shareholder letter, the exchange has successfully added 50 institutional clients to its new marketplace, facilitating a remarkable $5.5 billion in trades within its inaugural seven weeks. The letter further states:
“As we navigate the preliminary stages of fortifying liquidity and fostering institutional engagement, our focus remains sharp on launching innovative features and a broader range of products in the latter half of this year. This includes the introduction of more asset trading portfolios and spot trading facilities. We are steadfast in our commitment to collaborate with esteemed global regulatory bodies and fervently hope the U.S. will adopt the forward-thinking regulatory models evident in burgeoning crypto hubs.”
However, it’s essential to note that while Coinbase’s volumes are surging, the global market for Bitcoin futures has seen a downtrend. From a high of $1.3 trillion in March, it dipped to $608 billion in July, as per The Block’s data dashboard. This divergence hints at the potential market dynamics and strategies specific to Coinbase’s offerings in the cryptocurrency derivatives landscape.