Key Insights
- Coinbase hints at launching a new wrapped bitcoin product called cbBTC.
- BitGo partners with BiT Global for WBTC custody, raising security concerns.
- The developments signal shifts in the tokenized bitcoin market, with potential impacts on liquidity and market structure.
NEW YORK (MarketsXplora) – Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has signaled its intent to launch a new wrapped bitcoin product, potentially named cbBTC, in a move that could reshape the tokenized bitcoin landscape.
The San Francisco-based company teased the product on social media platform X, drawing parallels with its existing Ethereum staking derivative, cbETH. While details remain scarce, Coinbase’s “coming soon” message suggests an imminent launch.
https://x.com/coinbase/status/1823501582006411614
This development comes as wrapped bitcoin products, which are backed one-to-one with bitcoin, gain traction in the crypto market. Coinbase’s offering could enable users to hold bitcoin on Ethereum and Layer 2 chains, potentially boosting liquidity across platforms, including Coinbase’s incubated blockchain, Base.
Jesse Pollak, Base’s lead, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating,
“We’re going to build a massive bitcoin economy on Base.”
The move positions Coinbase in direct competition with BitGo’s wrapped bitcoin (WBTC), currently the largest tokenized bitcoin product with a market capitalization exceeding $9 billion.
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Coinbase and BitGo Moves Signal Shift in Tokenized Bitcoin Market
Coinciding with Coinbase’s announcement, BitGo revealed a partnership with BiT Global, a Hong Kong-based firm linked to Tron founder Justin Sun. The collaboration aims to provide “multi-jurisdictional and multi-institutional custody” for the WBTC business, with BitGo becoming a minority owner in the joint venture.
However, this partnership has raised security concerns within the crypto community, particularly due to Sun’s controversial reputation and fears of centralized control. In response, Maker DAO’s risk team, Block Analitica Labs, proposed halting new borrowing against WBTC collateral.
Addressing these concerns, BitGo CEO Mike Belshe emphasized the company’s commitment to security and the legal oversight governing both BitGo and BiT Global.
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