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Coinbase lets U.K. users trade U.S. equities. BTC trades near $65,000
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Coinbase has expanded its trading platform to allow users in the United Kingdom to trade U.S. equities, marking a significant step in the crypto exchange's push into traditional financial markets. The announcement comes as Bitcoin hovered near $64,830 on Thursday, up 0.8% over 24 hours and 1.3% on the week, with traders watching a narrow trading band for signs of a breakout.
The move builds on Coinbase's existing international expansion strategy, which has seen the company offer crypto derivatives in Europe and secure regulatory approvals in several jurisdictions. By enabling UK users to access U.S. stocks directly through its platform, Coinbase is positioning itself as a one-stop shop for digital and traditional assets, a model that could attract a broader investor base seeking convenience and diversification.
Bitcoin's price action remains subdued, with Ether rising 2.1% while most other major cryptocurrencies barely moved, leaving the market in a wait-and-see mode rather than rally mode. The bid under Bitcoin is coming from macro hopes rather than fresh crypto demand, according to market analysts. President Donald Trump pointed to strong employment, better manufacturing data and cooling inflation, while also raising the possibility of a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which could pressure oil prices lower.
A reopening of the strait would likely ease inflation worries and give Treasury yields and the dollar room to fall, creating a favorable backdrop for risk assets like Bitcoin. However, the trade still depends on several steps lining up: lower oil must feed into lower inflation expectations, and those expectations must pull down real yields and the dollar. Without that transmission, the macro case remains theoretical, leaving Bitcoin pinned near the $65,000 level.
Bitcoin's roughly 63% correlation with the S&P 500 also suggests that equity sentiment may matter more than crypto-native flows in the near term. A calmer Middle East backdrop helps risk appetite, but it can also reduce the safe-haven demand that supported Bitcoin earlier in the summer, creating a mixed signal for traders.
Industry analysts are watching real yields and the dollar as key indicators. If both fall alongside oil, Bitcoin has a cleaner path above the top of its recent range; if yields stay firm, the macro case loses momentum. "The market is trading on narrative, not fundamentals," said one London-based trader, adding that Coinbase's equity expansion could provide a new channel for retail investors to enter the crypto ecosystem.
Looking ahead, Coinbase plans to roll out additional features for UK clients, including real-time data and advanced ordering tools, aiming to compete with traditional brokers like Robinhood. The broader trend of crypto exchanges diversifying into equities reflects the blurring lines between digital assets and conventional finance, driven by regulatory clarity and growing institutional adoption. As Bitcoin continues to trade in a tight range, the next move will likely depend on macroeconomic data and whether the promised easing in inflation and yields actually materializes.
