Clear Street analyst Owen Lau has named Coinbase one of the three most promising fintech stocks for 2026 as a potential acquirer, according to a market briefing. He argues Coinbase could play a central role in the shift toward blockchain-based financial infrastructure and would benefit from broader adoption of blockchain applications and clearer regulatory clarity. Lau reiterates a Buy rating for Coinbase and sets a 12-month price target of $415, highlighting a gradual diversification of Coinbase’s revenue into subscriptions, stablecoins, and on-chain financial services to reduce reliance on spot trading. In addition, he expects investments in tokenization, payments, and derivatives to bolster Coinbase’s resilience to macro shifts.
USDC is identified as a core growth driver. Circle is pursuing collaboration with Coinbase on USDC, and Coinbase derives roughly half of Circle’s USDC revenue. Nevertheless, Coinbase’s current enterprise value remains below Circle’s revenue expectations.
Lau also points to structural reforms in the U.S. crypto market and progress on stablecoin legislation, along with Coinbase’s forays into prediction markets, a ‘super app,’ and AI-powered financial tools, as potential growth catalysts for 2026. He views 2026 as a turning point for the crypto equities space, with the focus shifting from trading volume to real user adoption. Lau argues Coinbase’s solid finances, international footprint, and diverse product lineup give it a clear edge.
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