In a bold expansion of its investment and infrastructure ecosystem, Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States, has announced the acquisition of Echo, a blockchain-based angel and private investment platform, for approximately $375 million.
Acquisition Details
According to Coinbase’s official statement, the deal — which has now been finalized — will be paid partly in cash and partly in stock. The acquisition positions Coinbase to expand deeper into on-chain venture funding, connecting startups, angel investors, and institutions directly through blockchain infrastructure.
The news comes just a day after Coinbase made headlines for purchasing a rare NFT owned by Echo’s founder, Jordan Fish — widely known in the crypto world as Cobie — for a staggering $25 million.
Echo, which operates as an on-chain platform for angel and private investments, allows investors to back early-stage blockchain projects with transparency and automated smart-contract-based equity management.
A Year of Aggressive Expansion
2025 has been a landmark year of acquisitions for Coinbase. Earlier this year, the exchange made waves by acquiring Deribit, the world’s largest crypto derivatives exchange, in a $2.9 billion deal — one of the biggest takeovers in crypto history.
Additionally, Coinbase also purchased LiquiFi, a token management platform, for an undisclosed amount, strengthening its foothold in the tokenization and enterprise infrastructure market.
Strategic Vision
Through these acquisitions, Coinbase is positioning itself as the central hub for institutional and venture activity in the blockchain sector.
- Echo adds a strategic layer for early-stage investments and Web3 venture funding.
- Deribit reinforces Coinbase’s dominance in crypto derivatives trading.
- LiquiFi complements the ecosystem by supporting token issuance, vesting, and management.
Together, these moves signal Coinbase’s intent to become not just an exchange, but a full-spectrum crypto financial powerhouse — spanning trading, tokenization, investment, and infrastructure services.
Industry Implications
This acquisition spree comes as Coinbase continues to navigate tightening regulations in the U.S. while seeking to diversify revenue beyond trading fees. The move into angel investing and token infrastructure could make Coinbase a key player in shaping the next generation of blockchain startups, potentially rivaling traditional venture platforms like AngelList or Andreessen Horowitz’s a16z Crypto in the on-chain era.
