Coinbase Brings IPO Access to US Retail Investors

Coinbase is expanding its services by offering US retail customers access to Initial Public Offering (IPO) allocations through its app. The exchange, which already provides crypto and regular stock trading, has launched Coinbase Capital Markets, a FINRA-registered broker-dealer that will participate in IPOs as a best-efforts selling-group member.

The first IPO available through Coinbase Capital Markets is Oura's listing, set for later this week. Eligible customers can access active IPO deals through a new IPOs page in the Coinbase app and submit a 'Conditional Offer to Buy' for the number of shares they want.

Coinbase noted that allocations depend on the number of shares underwriters make available and overall customer demand, meaning orders could be filled partially or not at all. The exchange also warned that customers who sell IPO shares within 30 days may face a 60-day participation ban, while repeat early sellers risk smaller and less frequent allocations.

Coinbase aims to give its customers access to assets across different stages of their market lifecycle, describing the move as another step toward building an 'Everything Exchange.' The company plans to expand the number of IPO opportunities available as additional selling-group allocations become accessible.