Coinbase Acquires Deribit in $3B Mega Deal to Expand Crypto Derivatives Market Presence

Coinbase made a move to strengthen its footprint in the crypto derivatives market. The company agreed to acquire Deribit, a leading crypto options and futures platform, in a deal valued at approximately $2.9 billion.

On May 8 2025 the announcement said the acquisition will be financed through a combination of $700 million in cash and 11 million shares of Coinbase Class A common stock.

The deal, which has reportedly reached its final stages after months of negotiations, is expected to close later in 2025, pending regulatory approval.

Deribit CEO Luuk Strijers welcomed the agreement, stating, “We’re excited to join forces with Coinbase to power a new era in global crypto derivatives.”

Deribit also holds a regulatory license in Dubai, which Coinbase will assume upon finalization of the deal. This license will allow Coinbase to legally serve institutional and qualified investors in the region’s crypto derivatives space.

Deribit Founders to Step Down as Coinbase Taps Global Growth Strategy

Post-acquisition, Deribit founders John and Marius Jansen will exit the company, ending an 11-year journey since the platform’s inception in 2014.

Until the deal closes, Deribit assured users it would continue operations as usual, maintaining the same platform, team, and commitment to excellence.

Coinbase’s Vice President of International and Business Development, Nana Murugesan, noted that the acquisition is “the most substantial move yet” in the company’s push to scale globally.

The integration of Deribit’s infrastructure will enhance onboarding processes, boost fiat accessibility, and increase capital efficiency across Coinbase’s growing derivatives suite.

Coinbase Acquisition Talks Could Smooth Deribit’s U.S. Entry

Deribit’s entry into the U.S. market appeared to align with growing speculation over a possible acquisition by Coinbase.

The two companies had reportedly notified Dubai regulators of the ongoing negotiations, as Deribit holds its operational license in the region.

If a deal were finalized, the license would need to be transferred to Coinbase, potentially streamlining Deribit’s path into the U.S.

A merger with Coinbase, would have likely eased regulatory friction for Deribit. It also suggested that the exchange was not just testing the waters but preparing a serious bid to capture market share in the United States particularly if the environment proved more welcoming under the Trump administration.

Deribit’s CEO, Luuk Strijers, in an interview emphasized that the firm had been closely monitoring the shift in U.S. policy, calling it a “more favorable regulatory stance.”