Coinbase Stock Soars After JPMorgan Upgrade, Fueled by Base Network’s Explosive Potential
- Why Did JPMorgan Suddenly Fall in Love With Coinbase?
- The Base Network Gold Rush: More Than Just Hype?
- USDC Rewards Reshuffle: The $374 Million Secret Weapon
- Q3 Earnings Preview: Will the Momentum Hold?
- Your Burning Coinbase Questions Answered
In a move that sent shockwaves through crypto markets, JPMorgan Chase upgraded Coinbase Global Inc. (COIN) from "Neutral" to "Overweight" while raising its price target to $404 - signaling a potential 14% upside from current levels. The banking giant highlighted Coinbase's Base network as a game-changing revenue driver, with analysts projecting the Layer 2 solution could generate $4-12 billion in equity value. This bullish sentiment propelled COIN shares to a 9% single-day surge, extending their year-to-date gains to an impressive 42.75% as of October 2025.

Why Did JPMorgan Suddenly Fall in Love With Coinbase?
The upgrade wasn't just polite Wall Street flattery - JPMorgan's analysts crunched numbers that WOULD make any crypto investor drool. Their 34-page report specifically called out Base's staggering growth since its 2023 launch, noting it's now processing over 9 million daily transactions with $5+ billion in Total Value Locked (TVL). "What really got our attention," shared a JPMorgan insider who asked to remain anonymous, "was how Base could mirror Ethereum's valuation trajectory while giving Coinbase first-mover advantage in institutional Layer 2 adoption."
The Base Network Gold Rush: More Than Just Hype?
Let's break down why this LAYER 2 solution has analysts buzzing:
- Tokenomics Potential: A hypothetical Base token (still unconfirmed by Coinbase) could capture 40% of a $12-34 billion market cap
- Developer Magnet: Base now hosts 150+ dApps according to DefiLlama, becoming the go-to for Ethereum scaling
- Revenue Multiplier: Every transaction on Base potentially feeds into Coinbase's broader ecosystem
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong teased the possibilities on X (formerly Twitter): "We see Base tokens as tools for decentralization... but no final decisions yet." This careful wording suggests regulatory chess moves are underway behind the scenes.
USDC Rewards Reshuffle: The $374 Million Secret Weapon
JPMorgan's report contained a bombshell most media missed - their analysts project Coinbase could pocket an extra $374 million annually by tweaking its USDC rewards program. Here's the playbook:
| Current Model | Proposed Change | Financial Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Broad USDC interest distribution | Rewards concentrated for Coinbase One subscribers | +$374M annual profit |
"It's classic platform economics," explains BTCC market analyst Liam Chen. "They're transitioning from customer acquisition to monetization - the same playbook Amazon used with Prime."
Q3 Earnings Preview: Will the Momentum Hold?
All eyes now turn to Coinbase's October 30 earnings report. Zacks Investment Research forecasts:
- EPS of $1.06 (71% YoY increase)
- Revenue of $1.74 billion (44.1% YoY growth)
The real drama? Whether Base's metrics get broken out separately - a MOVE that could force Wall Street to completely revalue the company. As one hedge fund manager whispered: "They're not just an exchange anymore; they're building the financial infrastructure of web3."
Your Burning Coinbase Questions Answered
How much could Base Network be worth?
JPMorgan estimates between $12-34 billion market cap if a token launches, with Coinbase potentially holding 40% of the supply.
What's driving Coinbase's stock surge?
The JPMorgan upgrade combined with excitement about Base Network's growth potential and USDC reward restructuring.
When will Coinbase decide on a Base token?
No timeline exists, but CEO Brian Armstrong confirmed they're considering it for decentralization purposes.
How has COIN performed in 2025?
Shares are up 42.75% year-to-date as of October 2025, with a $91.07 billion market cap.