Coinbase said the launch of the international digital asset trading platform is part of its move for global expansion driven by regulatory uncertainties in the United States.
Leading American cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase Global Inc (NASDAQ: COIN) has introduced spot trading options for international customers outside the United States.
In an official announcement on December 13, 2023, the company said the move is part of its global expansion plans to better service its customers in other regions worldwide.
Coinbase Introduces Spot Trading for Non-US Users
The new product will be available on its global platform “Coinbase Intentional Exchange”, designed for non-US users in compliance with the international anti-money laundering (AML) and Know-Your-Customer (KYC) rules.
“We recognize the hesitancy among some asset issuers and members of the crypto community to engage with US exchanges due to the evolving and uncertain regulatory landscape in the United States,” Coinbase said.
Starting today, December 14, Coinbase will roll out Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (Ether) trading options against the USDC stablecoin before adding support for other cryptocurrencies in the coming months.
The company said its primary focus is to build liquidity and create a robust foundation before adopting other digital assets.
Coinbase to Start Spot Trading with Bitcoin and Ethereum
The product is currently limited to institutional users. However, the exchange plans to expand its spot trading options to include retail customers in the future.
Coinbase will also introduce more features to provide new trading strategies to enhance capital efficiency in the time to come.
The exchange announced the launch of its Coinbase International Exchange in May. The firm then introduced trading for BTC and ETH perpetual futures specifically for institutional customers.
Later in September, the company secured regulatory approval to extend its services to cater to retail traders. Users can also engage in the spot market and regulated perpetual futures contracts on the platform. However, Coinbase said customers in the United Kingdom are restricted from trading crypto derivatives.
“It’s really important to have both spot and derivatives trading side by side. They help each other and ensure there’s a deep and liquid market. It’s part of an aggressive and very exciting road map,” said Greg Tusar, head of institutional product at Coinbase, in an interview.
The exchange further stated that the international platform is only available in selected jurisdictions outside the United States.
Crypto Regulatory Hurdles in the US
Coinbase said the launch of the international digital asset trading platform is part of its move for global expansion driven by regulatory uncertainties in the United States.
The country has yet to provide a clear regulatory framework that would provide a detailed roadmap for the sale, issuance, and usage of digital assets in the location.
Lawmakers across the country have recently introduced drafted bills that would regulate the stablecoins and the entire crypto market.
Earlier this year, the House Financial Services Committee, including Reps Jim Himes and Ritchie Torres, approved the proposed laws in July to create a well-defined regulatory framework for the rapidly expanding digital economy.
Coinspeaker reported on December 1 that these laws would likely be delayed until 2024 before making any headway. US Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.), the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee’s subcommittee focusing on virtual assets regulation, made the statement during a crypto conference held in November.
