Coinbase is reportedly negotiating one of its most ambitious acquisitions yet – a deal that could give the U.S. crypto exchange direct control over a major piece of the global stablecoin payments network.
According to people familiar with the matter, Coinbase is in advanced talks to acquire BVNK, a London-based fintech startup specializing in stablecoin and digital asset payment rails. The purchase, valued at around $2 billion, would give Coinbase ownership of the infrastructure used by merchants to move money seamlessly between crypto and fiat systems.
If completed, the acquisition could close before the end of 2025, though sources say the timeline remains flexible. The companies are currently completing due diligence, and the deal could still face revisions before approval.
This isn’t a new relationship — Coinbase Ventures, the exchange’s investment arm, was among BVNK’s early backers alongside Visa, Citi Ventures, and Haun Ventures.
Why BVNK Matters to Coinbase’s Next Chapter
Founded in 2021, BVNK built a reputation for providing compliance-focused payment tools that allow businesses to handle crypto and stablecoin transactions as easily as card or bank transfers. The company’s platform connects traditional financial institutions to blockchain networks without forcing them to build in-house infrastructure.
For Coinbase, buying BVNK isn’t about trading — it’s about becoming a payments company. The move fits CEO Brian Armstrong’s long-term vision of expanding beyond exchange services into everyday commerce and cross-border settlement.
Stablecoins: Coinbase’s Quiet Profit Engine
Over the past year, stablecoins have quietly become one of Coinbase’s most profitable business segments. The company earns revenue from interest on reserves through its partnership with Circle, the issuer of USDC, which now makes up about one-fifth of Coinbase’s total income.
Coinbase has been steadily integrating stablecoins into mainstream platforms, including Shopify, where it enabled USDC-based payments to make crypto spending easier for online retailers.
The BVNK acquisition would accelerate that strategy — giving Coinbase direct access to BVNK’s global merchant network, corporate payment tools, and regulated on/off-ramp capabilities.
A Broader Race for Stablecoin Dominance
The deal comes at a pivotal moment for the industry. Earlier this year, the U.S. approved its first comprehensive stablecoin regulation, triggering a wave of competition among exchanges, banks, and fintechs to capture the stablecoin payments market.
Coinbase has been particularly aggressive. In recent months, it partnered with Citigroup to pilot blockchain-based corporate settlements — testing how companies can use stablecoins to move funds between traditional bank accounts and crypto wallets.
Armstrong recently told lawmakers in Washington that bipartisan progress on the U.S. crypto market structure bill is “90% complete,” suggesting a friendlier regulatory climate could soon open the floodgates for large-scale institutional participation.
From Exchange to Financial Infrastructure Giant
Should the BVNK deal close, Coinbase would gain far more than a payments startup — it would effectively own a bridge between global banking systems and blockchain settlements.
BVNK’s technology enables instant conversions between fiat and stablecoins, automated compliance screening, and settlement through licensed banking partners — exactly the kind of capabilities Coinbase needs to become a full-service financial infrastructure provider.
In doing so, Coinbase would move one step closer to transforming from a cryptocurrency exchange into something more enduring: a regulated, blockchain-native financial network spanning both digital and traditional economies.
As the line between crypto and mainstream finance continues to blur, this potential $2 billion deal could mark the moment Coinbase stopped competing with exchanges — and started competing with banks.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com does not endorse or recommend any specific investment strategy or cryptocurrency. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
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Source: https://coindoo.com/coinbase-plans-2b-acquisition-of-a-leading-stablecoin-payments-firm/
