Crypto unicorn Coinbase files to go public on Nasdaq

California-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbasetoday announced to have filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to a proposed public direct listing of its Class A common stock. Coinbase intends to list its Class A common stock on the NasdaqGlobal Select Market under the ticker symbol “COIN”.

Founded in 2012 by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam, Coinbase is a decentralised company that powers the crypto-economy. Coinbase’s mission is to create an open financial system for the world.

According to a blog post by the company, “it will achieve this by creating a more fair, accessible, efficient, and transparent financial system for the internet age that leverages the power of digital assets built using blockchain technology.”

So far, the company has raised a total of $540 million in funding, with 15 acquisitions and key investors such as Manhattan Venture Partners, Tiger Global Management, and Y Combinator among others, on board.

In 2018, Coinbase also acquired Indian startup Earn.com, a platform that lets users earn digital currency in exchange for completing tasks like answering emails or taking surveys. As part of the deal, Balaji Srinivasan, Co-founder and CEO of Earn.com, also joined the crypto-exchange as its first-ever Chief Technology Officer (CTO). However, Balaji departed after almost a year of service at Coinbase.

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The same year, following its Series E funding round of $300 million, the company reached a valuation of $8 billion. According to recent media reports, Coinbase is currently at a stage where its valuation can be pegged at $75 billion. 

A key role here is played by continued revenue growth. According to a TechCrunch report, in 2019, Coinbase's net loss was $30.4 million against $533.7 million in revenue. Further, the crypto unicorn grew by just over 139 percent in 2020 with its net income rising to $127.5 million against $1.28 billion in revenue.

This listing will also set a crucial milestone for Indian cryptocurrency players. The Indian cryptocurrency startups are currently actively working against the likely ban. Only a week back, crypto entrepreneurs announced the formation of an industry association that will lobby with the government to stave off such a ban.

The dedicated crypto entrepreneurs association is known as ABCE - Association for Blockchain and, Crypto and Digital asset Entrepreneurs. It is aimed at bringing together a fragmented industry and engage in a dialogue with the government.