In a significant move underscoring its global ambitions, Coinbase has successfully expanded its crypto-backed USDC lending product to the United Kingdom. This strategic rollout, following its initial 2025 debut in the United States, marks a pivotal step in bridging traditional finance with the digital asset ecosystem. The service empowers UK-based users to unlock liquidity from their cryptocurrency holdings—specifically Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), or Coinbase's Wrapped Ether (cbETH)—by using them as collateral to secure loans denominated in the stablecoin USDC. This innovative product is facilitated through a collaboration with the decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol Morpho and operates on Coinbase's layer-2 blockchain, Base. By eliminating the need for users to sell their appreciating digital assets, Coinbase addresses a critical pain point for long-term holders and investors. The loan structure features variable terms dependent on the collateral amount and utilizes floating interest rates that dynamically adjust to prevailing market conditions. This expansion is more than just a new product launch; it is a clear signal of Coinbase's commitment to building a comprehensive, global financial infrastructure centered on cryptocurrency. It provides a regulated, institutional-grade avenue for accessing capital, which is crucial for fostering deeper adoption and integration of digital assets into everyday financial activities. As of 2026, this development reinforces the bullish thesis for the sector, demonstrating how leading exchanges are evolving into full-service financial platforms that offer sophisticated tools beyond simple trading, thereby driving utility, liquidity, and legitimacy for the entire crypto economy.

Coinbase Expands Crypto-Backed USDC Loans to UK Market

Coinbase has launched crypto-backed USDC loans for UK users, allowing borrowers to use Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), or cbETH as collateral. The product, facilitated through Morpho on the Base network, provides liquidity without requiring asset sales. Loan terms vary by collateral amount, with floating interest rates tied to market conditions.

The expansion follows Coinbase's 2025 US rollout and signals its global ambitions for crypto lending. Unlike traditional loans, these carry liquidation risks if collateral values drop below thresholds. No fixed repayment schedules exist—borrowers maintain flexibility but must monitor collateral ratios.

This strategic move capitalizes on growing institutional and retail demand for crypto-backed financing solutions amid evolving FCA regulations. By leveraging stablecoin (USDC) lending, Coinbase positions itself at the intersection of decentralized finance and regulatory compliance.

Coinbase-Backed x402 Protocol Launches AI Agent Marketplace with Stablecoin Payments

Coinbase's x402 protocol has unveiled Agentic.market, a groundbreaking app store designed for AI agents to seamlessly discover and utilize thousands of services without API keys. The platform addresses tool fragmentation while enabling autonomous commerce through stablecoin payments—a feature gaining traction among enterprises.

Nick Prince, Coinbase product lead, revealed that hundreds of thousands of AI agents have already transacted hundreds of millions in value through such integrations. The marketplace connects diverse services including CoinGecko for crypto data, Google Flights for travel, and X for social networking—effectively serving as a 'passport' for AI agents navigating the digital economy.

Beyond its web interface for human evaluation, Agentic.market provides programmatic access allowing AI agents to autonomously search, filter, and deploy capabilities. The x402 standard underpinning this ecosystem is emerging as a critical infrastructure for agent-to-agent payments and service discovery.