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Coinbase's Weak Q2 Is a Blip, Not a Breakdown, Says Benchmark

Weakness in Coinbase stock is a buying opportunity, according to the broker.

Updated Aug 4, 2025, 1:28 p.m. Published Aug 4, 2025, 12:07 p.m.
Coinbase app on a mobile phone screen.
Coinbase's weak Q2 is a blip, not a breakdown, says Benchmark. (Getty Images)

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.

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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

AI Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.

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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.
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Key bitcoin price levels to watch as downward pressure builds

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As bitcoin remains in a downtrend, several technical and onchain levels stand out as critical areas of support.

What to know:

  • The 100-week moving average at $87,145 remains the main line of defense.
  • Below this, the cost basis of U.S. spot bitcoin ETF buyers at $84,099 has provided support during recent consolidation.
  • A sustained break below $80,000 would likely open the door to a revisit of the April 2025 low near $76,000.