Coinbase Records Worst Quarter Since FTX Collapse
Coinbase, the largest U.S. cryptocurrency exchange, has experienced its most challenging quarter since the FTX collapse in late 2022.
The exchange’s stock (COIN) dropped by 30% during Q1 of 2025, reflecting the broader struggles across the crypto market.
Crypto Stocks and Assets See Steep Losses in Q1
According to Bloomberg, the downturn has also affected several other prominent crypto-related stocks, including Galaxy Digital, Riot Blockchain, and Core Scientific. These companies have all seen substantial declines, mirroring the struggles of the wider crypto market.
The broader cryptocurrency market has also faced significant challenges. Bitcoin, the market’s bellwether, fell by 10% during Q1, while Ethereum (ETH) experienced an even more dramatic 45% decline. These losses are seen as part of a larger market pullback, fueled by various macroeconomic factors.
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Macroeconomic Pressures Contribute to Market Decline
Analysts point to the growing uncertainty surrounding the U.S. economy, with concerns about President Trump’s tariffs and recession fears contributing to a general “risk-off” sentiment among investors. This shift away from riskier assets, including crypto, has led to a broad sell-off across the market.
Some market observers attribute the downturn to lingering fears over trade wars and geopolitical instability, which are dampening investor confidence. “Trump’s trade wars are driving markets into a panic. As much as he is doing for crypto, the macro market conditions are speaking louder,” one user on X remarked.
Impact on Coinbase and Other Crypto Firms
Coinbase has been particularly impacted by this market downturn. The exchange’s revenue model relies heavily on altcoins and transaction volumes beyond Bitcoin, making it vulnerable to the broader market trends. Furthermore, the company has also been grappling with user losses, as Coinbase users collectively lost over $46 million to scams in March.
Despite the rough market conditions, other assets like gold have performed much better. Gold posted its best quarter since 1986, with investors flocking to safer assets amid the market turmoil. The shift towards traditional assets has been particularly noticeable, as the post-election crypto hype, which once drove Bitcoin to $109,000, begins to fade.
Resilience Among Certain Crypto Firms
While many crypto firms have struggled, a few have shown resilience. MicroStrategy, led by CEO Michael Saylor, remains in the green for the year, largely due to its substantial Bitcoin holdings.
As the crypto market continues to face significant challenges, analysts remain focused on how macroeconomic factors will continue to shape the landscape for digital assets.
Kosta Gushterov
Reporter at Coindoo
Kosta has been a part of the team since 2021 and has solidified his position with a thirst for knowledge, incredible dedication to his work and a "detective-like" mindset. He not only covers a wide range of trending topics, he also creates reviews, PR articles and educational content. His work has also been referenced by other news outlets.
