Coinbase is taking another step toward becoming a full-service financial platform after securing a UK investment services license that expands its business beyond cryptocurrency trading into traditional financial markets.

The approval allows Coinbase to move beyond spot crypto trading by offering a broader range of financial products on a single platform. Institutional and advanced traders will gain access to perpetual futures tied to cryptocurrencies, equities and commodities, while retail users will be able to trade equities alongside digital assets.

Coinbase said the authorization represents its biggest UK product expansion since entering the market and supports its long-term vision of building an "everything exchange" that combines crypto and traditional finance under one roof. Future product rollouts, however, will remain subject to regulatory approvals and UK market rules.

The company also cited Financial Conduct Authority research showing that around 7 million UK adults already own crypto assets, while roughly a quarter of non-owners said clearer regulations would make them more likely to participate in the market.

Expansion comes as the UK reshapes its crypto market

Coinbase's latest approval arrives ahead of the UK's new crypto regulatory framework, which will begin accepting authorization applications in September before taking effect in October 2027. Under the regime, crypto exchanges, custodians, stablecoin issuers, staking providers and other digital asset firms will be required to obtain authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority.

The move also comes as the UK gradually modernizes its approach to crypto investment products. In 2025, the FCA reopened retail access to certain crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) listed on FCA-approved UK exchanges, easing part of the restrictions introduced in 2021.

However, the regulator's ban on retail crypto derivatives remains in force. As a result, Coinbase's new derivatives offering will be limited to institutional and advanced traders, while retail customers will gain access to equities rather than crypto derivatives.