What if you could turn your hunches about real-world events—like election results, sports outcomes, or economic shifts—into actual trades, all within the same app you use for buying Bitcoin? That’s the exciting direction Coinbase is heading, and their latest acquisition is accelerating the journey in a big way.
Just days before the end of 2025, Coinbase announced it’s acquiring The Clearing Company, a rising star in regulated onchain prediction markets. This deal, set to close in January 2026, positions Coinbase to supercharge its new event-trading features and solidify growth in the coming year.
Why This Acquisition Matters for Coinbase’s Future
Coinbase isn’t content with just being a crypto exchange anymore. The company is pushing to become the “Everything Exchange”—a one-stop platform for trading crypto, stocks, derivatives, and now, contracts tied to real-world happenings.
By bringing The Clearing Company onboard, Coinbase gains a team of experts who know how to build secure, compliant systems for these markets. As noted in Coinbase’s official blog post, this move combines regulated access with specialized event-contract knowledge to expand offerings over time.
This is Coinbase’s tenth acquisition in 2025 alone, according to reports from Reuters and The Block, showing a clear strategy to diversify beyond volatile crypto trading fees.
What Are Prediction Markets, Anyway?
Think of prediction markets as a smart way to bet on future events using real money. You buy “yes” or “no” shares on questions like “Will inflation drop next quarter?” or “Who wins the big game?” If you’re right, you profit—the market price reflects collective wisdom.
These aren’t new, but onchain versions use blockchain for transparency and fast settlements. The Clearing Company specializes in making them regulated and efficient, even applying to become a Derivatives Clearing Organization with the CFTC, as highlighted in CoinDesk coverage.
For everyday users, it means more engaging ways to interact with finance, potentially driving frequent app visits compared to just holding assets.
Meet The Clearing Company Team
Founded earlier in 2025 by Toni Gemayel—a growth leader from platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi—The Clearing Company quickly raised $15 million in seed funding, including from Coinbase Ventures.
The team includes veterans skilled in blending blockchain tech with strict regulations. Once the deal closes, they’ll join Coinbase to scale these features directly for millions of users.
How This Fuels Growth Heading into 2026
Prediction markets are booming, with global volumes hitting billions in 2025. Analysts from Benchmark and J.P. Morgan, quoted in Reuters, point out that these high-engagement products could help Coinbase rely less on crypto ups and downs.
Users will trade event contracts alongside their regular portfolios—no need to switch apps. This seamless experience aligns with Coinbase’s rollout of equities and derivatives, creating stickier customer habits.
Potential Challenges Ahead
Of course, nothing’s without hurdles. Regulatory scrutiny remains key, especially as prediction markets touch on sensitive areas like politics or sports. Coinbase is partnering with established players and emphasizing compliance to navigate this.
Market volatility and competition from platforms like Robinhood or decentralized options could play a role too. Still, the acquisition arms Coinbase with the talent to innovate responsibly.
Looking Forward: A Brighter 2026 for Coinbase Users
This acquisition isn’t just about adding a feature—it’s about reimagining how people engage with markets every day. As prediction tools grow more mainstream, expect Coinbase to lead in making them accessible, secure, and fun for regular folks.
Whether you’re a crypto enthusiast or just curious about smarter ways to forecast the future, keep an eye on Coinbase in 2026. This could be the start of something that changes how we all think about trading real-world outcomes.
