Coinbase Teases cbBTC Launch, A Potential Rival to WBTC Token

As the Bitcoin ecosystem continues to expand, crypto exchange Coinbase is eyeing to expand its footprint in the market with the launch of cbBTC, a potential rival to the Wrapped Bitcoin WBTC token. This announcement of the cbBTC launch comes at a time amid growing concerns of Justin Sun’s involvement with the WBTC token.

Coinbase’s cbBTC to Rival WBTC?

The recent hint at launching the cbBTC token, shows that crypto exchange Coinbase is planning to build a substantial Bitcoin economic system on the Base network. Interestingly, this development comes amid rising concerns about Justin Sun’s growing involvement with the WBTC custodial changes. Speculations are ripe that the cbBTC could emerge as the direct competitor to WBTC.

Coming soon.

— Coinbase 🛡️ (@coinbase) August 14, 2024

The concerns regarding the WBTC custody started propping up after major custodian BitGo stated that it would start transferring the control of the product to a new joint venture. However, Justin Sun later clarified to the stakeholders that his role in WBTC will be entirely strategic and that he doesn’t have any access to private keys or the ability to move the BTC reserves. Furthermore, BitGo CEO Mike Belshe has also downplayed these fears stating that the controversy is more perception-driven rather than facts.

A Tokenized Bitcoin

As we know, the Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) is a tokenized version of Bitcoin that runs on the Ethereum blockchain, compliant with the ERC 20 standard. Thus, it indirectly introduces BTC to the rapidly evolving DeFi ecosystem, crypto lending services etc.

Thus, cbBTC could be another tokenized Bitcoin version that the crypto exchange might be planning to introduce to the rapidly evolving Base ecosystem.

The crypto exchange has been making every effort to address the regulatory challenges while simultaneously expanding its services in the broader crypto space. Recently, Coinbase challenged SEC’s blanket definition of crypto exchange, derived without conducting an economic analysis of how it would be affecting DEXs.

In another development, the crypto exchange also announced its return to Hawaii, after seven long years of exiting the island state. This decision comes amid an improved regulatory landscape on the island.