Czech Central Bank Doubles Down on Crypto—Snaps Up $18.1M in Coinbase Shares
Central banks aren’t known for their risk appetite—but someone forgot to tell Prague.
The bullish bet: The Czech National Bank just loaded up on $18.1 million worth of Coinbase shares, signaling growing institutional comfort with crypto—or sheer FOMO.
Why it matters: When traditional finance gatekeepers start playing with digital assets, it’s either validation of the space… or proof they’ve run out of yield elsewhere. (Looking at you, negative-rate bonds.)
The bottom line: Another brick in crypto’s legitimacy wall—or a desperate scramble for returns in a zero-yield world? Either way, the suits are paying attention.
Czech Central Bank Embraces Digital Assets to Diversify Reserves
The MOVE reflects the CNB’s growing openness toward digital assets and its ambition to diversify reserve holdings.
Earlier this year, Governor Aleš Michl expressed intentions to consider expanding the central bank’s portfolio to include Bitcoin and other crypto-related assets.
Michl told the Financial Times that the CNB may allocate up to 5% of its €140 billion ($163.5 billion) reserves into Bitcoin, pending board approval.
The recent Coinbase purchase aligns with this broader push toward integrating crypto assets into traditional finance.
Coinbase, which made history by becoming the first crypto company added to the S&P 500 index in May 2025, has seen its stock rise sharply this year.
Despite a challenging first quarter marked by a 10% drop in revenue and a 95% plunge in net income, largely driven by a $596 million paper loss on crypto holdings, the company’s shares have rebounded.
The Czech National Bank added 51,732 shares of Coinbase (COIN) in Q2 2025, worth over $18M, marking its first position in the crypto exchange.
It also increased its stake in Palantir (PLTR) by 49,135 shares, now holding 519,950 total. pic.twitter.com/gx9be2eToa
Year-to-date, Coinbase stock is up nearly 56%, fueled by a strong rally in crypto markets and the company’s aggressive expansion efforts.
In recent months, Coinbase has been actively increasing its market presence.
The exchange announced its $2.9 billion acquisition of Deribit, a leading crypto derivatives platform, in May.
More recently, Coinbase acquired Liquifi, a token management platform that bolsters its capabilities in token cap table management, vesting, and regulatory compliance.
Coinbase Named TIME ‘Disruptor’
TIME has recognized Coinbase as one of 2025’s 100 Most Influential Companies, labeling the crypto exchange a “disruptor” for its significant role in shaping US digital asset policies and markets.
The accolade highlights Coinbase’s aggressive advocacy in Washington and its expanding influence in the crypto sector.
Coinbase’s stock has surged 42% year-to-date, climbing from around $303 to a high NEAR $382.
The rise followed the Senate’s passage of the GENIUS stablecoin bill and Coinbase’s historic inclusion in the S&P 500 in May.
TIME noted the exchange as a key driver behind the industry’s policy efforts and predicted Coinbase could become the central hub for crypto trading in the US.
Beyond the US, Coinbase is broadening its reach in Europe, securing a license under the EU’s MiCA regulatory framework through Luxembourg’s financial regulator.
The company plans to establish its European headquarters in Luxembourg.
Additionally, Coinbase is seeking SEC approval to offer tokenized equities, which WOULD position it as a competitor to popular retail trading platforms like Robinhood and WeBull.
