Coinbase mulls Bybit tie-up
Coinbase is in talks to invest in or partner with Bybit as it explores entry into a compliant U.S. derivatives market, according to an industry report reported. The discussions could reshape U.S. crypto derivatives access if a regulated pathway is agreed, and it signals aggressive strategic moves by Coinbase into liquidity and exchange partnerships. Details remain fluid and the report frames this as ongoing talks rather than a closed deal.
Wu [Blockchain reported]cryptopotato.com on March 14, 2026 that Coinbase is in early talks to take a minority stake in or form a strategic partnership with Bybit, citing three unnamed sources familiar with the discussions. Coinbase previously expanded aggressively into derivatives by agreeing to buy Deribit for about $2.9 billion on May 8, 2025, a transaction detailed in CNBC’s coverage of the deal. cnbc.com Coinbase’s own announcement framed the Deribit move as a step to become a global derivatives platform. coinbase.com Bybit has been building out fiat rails and institutional-facing services ahead of any U.S. push, including a January 29, 2026 announcement about offering bank accounts with IBAN access via partner banks. coindesk.com Bybit’s 2026 roadmap publicly emphasizes a shift toward TradFi-style products and broader regulatory alignment. ainvest.com Regulatory history between the firms is documented: Coinbase informed customers on November 28, 2023 that it had received a CFTC subpoena tied to an inquiry involving Bybit and CEO Ben Zhou. cointelegraph.com Market-structure precedent for regulated players partnering with offshore exchanges was underscored by ICE’s investment in OKX at a reported $25 billion valuation on March 5, 2026. bloomberg.com
