Catenaa, Tuesday, March 25, 2025-Coinbase is in advanced discussions to acquire Deribit, the world’s largest crypto options exchange for Bitcoin and Ether, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The companies have reportedly informed regulators in Dubai, where Deribit holds a license. The exchange, valued between $4 billion and $5 billion as of January, has been exploring acquisition opportunities.
Sources indicated that no final agreement has been reached, and talks could still collapse. Neither company has issued public statements.
If completed, the deal would mark a major step in Coinbase’s expansion into derivatives trading, a fast-growing sector attracting institutional investors. Crypto derivatives now account for approximately 75% of global trading volumes.
Coinbase has been actively strengthening its derivatives portfolio.
On March 15, its derivatives division filed with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to introduce futures contracts for Cardano (ADA) and Natural Gas (NGS).
If approved, these contracts could begin trading as early as March 31. This follows the company’s recent launch of Solana (SOL) and Hedera (HBAR) futures.
The acquisition of Deribit would position Coinbase as a dominant player in the crypto options market while aligning with the growing demand for regulated trading platforms.
Coinbase is also preparing to introduce 24/7 Bitcoin and Ethereum perpetual futures in the US to match global trading standards.
Deribit’s acquisition could simplify regulatory processes by consolidating licenses under a single entity.
The move underscores Coinbase’s strategy of expanding beyond spot trading into derivatives and traditional commodities markets.
