Coinbase Global (COIN +2.11%) could be gearing up to launch a new cryptocurrency, and it could turn into a major performance driver for the business. While the company hasn't officially announced the launch of an upcoming token built around its Base network, some signs suggest that the crypto platform specialist is readying a new coin -- and analysts at J.P. Morgan are particularly bullish about what it could mean for Coinbase stock.
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Could a Base coin be a big bullish catalyst for Coinbase stock?
Base is Coinbase's Layer-2 network built on the Ethereum blockchain. Base helps to accelerate transactions, reduce costs, sustain safety, and facilitate development initiatives across Coinbase's platform. Last Friday, J.P. Morgan published a paper breaking down potential benefits to Coinbase's valuation that could stem from the launch of a token built around the Base network.
J.P. Morgan's analysts see a potential Base token as a way for Coinbase to monetize the success of its Layer-2 network. A Base token could also help Coinbase capitalize on demand for stablecoins and minimize risks to its platform. J.P. Morgan's research team thinks that a Base token could unlock roughly $34 billion in equity valuation for Coinbase. In conjunction with the report, J.P. Morgan raised its year-end 2026 price target on Coinbase stock from $342 per share to $404 per share.
There are already some promising signs that Coinbase may be moving ahead with such an initiative. Officials indicated at the company's BaseCamp event last month that a Base token could be in the cards and that a potential cryptocurrency built around the network could drive decentralization initiatives and help support development initiatives.
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Along similar lines, Coinbase announced some major new digital-asset-payment and stablecoin partnerships today. The company is teaming up with Citigroup to create digital-asset payment solutions for Citi's big clients -- and on-chain stablecoin payments were a possibility highlighted with the announcement of the partnership.
News also hit today that the company's Coinbase Asset Management subsidiary was teaming up with Apollo Global to bridge stablecoin, tokenization economies, and private-credit lending services. The new products and services are expected to launch in 2026.
Between statements from Coinbase officials, J.P. Morgan's recent research coverage, and today's news of partnerships with Citi and Apollo Global, there seems to be a good chance that a token built around the Base network could launching in the not-too-distant future. If J.P. Morgan's analysts are correct, the new Base token could help power a significant rally for Coinbase stock.
