Coinbase's Weak Q2 Is a Blip, Not a Breakdown, Says Benchmark
Weakness in Coinbase stock is a buying opportunity, according to the broker.

What to know:
- Weakness in Coinbase stock is a buying opportunity, according to broker Benchmark.
- Benchmark analyst Mark Palmer reiterated his Coinbase buy rating and $421 price target.
- Coinbase shares were 1.8% higher in early trading.
Coinbase’s (COIN) softer-than-expected second quarter results triggered a sharp Friday sell-off, but Wall Street broker Benchmark says the drop is a buying opportunity, not a red flag.
Analyst Mark Palmer reiterated his buy rating and $421 price target. He argued that the exchange's long-term investment case remains intact as the company continues to build foundational crypto infrastructure.
The shares are 1.8% higher in early trading Monday, after having closed 16.7% lower on Friday.
Benchmark highlights five catalysts supporting its thesis. First, Coinbase's revenue-sharing agreement with Circle on USDC reserves positions it to benefit from stablecoin adoption, especially after the U.S. passed the GENIUS Act.
Second, its institutional offerings, including prime brokerage, crypto-as-a-service and derivatives, are well-timed because the CLARITY Act may spur further adoption.
Third, the firm is developing a crypto “super app” integrating trading, payments, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), decentralized finance (DeFi) and developer tools, a unique product in the U.S. market.
Fourth, the integration of decentralized exchanges expands token access beyond centralized listings.
Finally, Coinbase’s estimated $360 million in July transaction revenue, a 44% jump from its monthly average during the second quarter, signals a potential recovery in crypto activity.
Benchmark concludes the quarter's miss is short-term noise. Coinbase’s evolving platform, underpinned by regulation tailwinds and increasing institutional demand, points to long-term growth.
Read more: Coinbase Slides Nearly 20% in Worst Weekly Performance Since September 2024
More For You
KuCoin Hits Record Market Share as 2025 Volumes Outpace Crypto Market

KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.
What to know:
- KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.
- This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.
- Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.
- Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.
- Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.
More For You
How a 'perpetual’ stock trick could solve Michael Saylor’s $8 billion debt problem

The bitcoin treasury firm is using perpetual preferreds to retire convertibles, offering a potential framework for managing long-dated leverage.
What to know:
- Strive upsized its SATA follow on offering beyond $150 million, pricing the perpetual preferred at $90.
- The structure offers a blueprint for replacing fixed maturity convertibles with perpetual equity capital that removes refinancing risk.
- Strategy has a $3 billion convertible tranche due in June 2028 with a $672.40 conversion price, which could be addressed using a similar preferred equity approach.











