Coinbase will launch prediction markets and tokenized stocks on December 17th, marking a major step forward in full-stack cryptocurrencies, RWA tokenization, and the “everything app” race.
As Coinbase enters the prediction market and tokenized stocks soar, exchanges compete for dominance. RWA, DeFi, and vertical integration will reshape the next generation cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Coinbase is set to make a big move in the cryptocurrency space with the launch of a prediction market and its own tokenized stock on December 17th. The new service brings the exchange closer to its goal of becoming an all-in-one digital asset “app for everything.” This expansion comes amid increased competition and growing global interest in tokenized financial assets.
Coinbase aims for full vertical integration
One of the most important changes for Coinbase was the move to directly issue tokenized shares rather than relying on external partners. This gives the company greater control over product design, compliance, and settlement, a key advantage as global regulators increase their oversight of tokenized securities.
Rumors about Coinbase’s expansion have been circulating for weeks after leaked screenshots showed a prediction tool and tokenized stocks section within the Coinbase app. The company confirmed that full details will be revealed via a livestream on December 17th.
By integrating prediction markets, tokenized securities, and cryptocurrency trading into one platform, Coinbase is demonstrating its ambition to build a complete digital asset ecosystem that functions like a next-generation brokerage, derivatives exchange, and blockchain hub.
Exchanges race to lead the tokenization boom
Tokenization has quickly become the new competitive battleground. Robinhood and Kraken already offer tokenized U.S. stocks in some regions, but global trading in tokenized stocks has surged 32% in the last month, with transfers reaching $1.45 billion, according to data from rwa.xyz.
As traditional assets such as stocks, government bonds, and commodities migrate to blockchain, major exchanges are vying to secure an early advantage. Coinbase’s push is both a strategic defense and an attempt to gain market share as tokenization accelerates around the world.
Prediction markets are becoming a core financial product
Prediction markets have also seen significant growth, with users trading outcomes related to elections, inflation, sporting events, and world affairs. Gemini recently received CFTC approval to launch its Gemini Titan prediction platform in the US, Robinhood is now supporting Kalshi’s event contracts, and Crypto.com is expanding its presence in this space through partnerships. Large trading companies such as Susquehanna are also investing heavily in event-driven derivatives infrastructure.
Coinbase’s entry into prediction markets shows that prediction markets are becoming a mainstream financial product rather than a niche product.
Major companies are racing to build a full-stack crypto ecosystem
Analyst Kartik Swaminathan points out that Coinbase’s future development is part of a broader trend toward full vertical integration, with large companies controlling everything from wallets and trading platforms to layer 2 networks and real-world asset (RWA) issuance.
He highlighted that Robinhood, Kraken, Stripe, and Coinbase currently operate increasingly complex treasury stacks, each with RWA at the core of their long-term strategies. Meanwhile, projects such as Ondo, Shift, and xStocks are expanding on the BNB chain, raising new questions about Binance’s future role in the tokenization race.
According to the analyst, the industry is headed for a major competitive showdown, with all major platforms advancing to dominate the entire digital asset stack, where tokenized assets will play a decisive role.
