Coinbase is actively negotiating the acquisition of Deribit, the world's largest venue for trading Bitcoin and Ether options. This move could strengthen the company's existing derivatives platform, which is currently focused on futures.
Talks Over Deribit Acquisition
According to sources, Coinbase and Deribit have already notified Dubai regulators about their talks. Deribit holds a license in Dubai, which would need to be transferred to Coinbase if the deal goes through. In January, it was reported that Deribit could be valued between $4 billion and $5 billion. Last year, Deribit's trading volumes were around $1.2 trillion.
Growth in Crypto Derivatives Market
Crypto derivatives like futures and options are becoming increasingly popular among both retail and institutional investors in the US. Futures are contracts to buy or sell assets at a future date, often with leverage, while options provide the right to buy or sell an asset at a set price. In December, Coinbase reported that its derivatives trading volumes surged by approximately 10,950% in 2024.
Other Acquisitions and Deals in the Industry
Other major players are also actively engaging in mergers and acquisitions. On March 20, the Kraken exchange announced plans to acquire the derivatives trading platform NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion. In February, CME Group reported an average daily trading volume of approximately $10 billion for crypto derivatives in the fourth quarter of 2024, marking a more than 300% increase from the prior year.
Activity in the derivatives market remains high, prompting major companies to expand their presence in this sector to increase competitiveness.
