
Coinbase Launches OTC Crypto Trading Desk; USDC Stablecoin “One of the Most Liquid” on the Market
Coinbase launches its over-the-counter (OTC) trading desk for its institutional Prime customers today, with plans to integrate delayed settlement and Coinbase Custody.

Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate
Coinbase launches its over-the-counter (OTC) trading desk for its institutional Prime customers today, with plans to integrate delayed settlement and Coinbase Custody. This move will reduce the costs of acquiring cryptocurrency for institutions and help reduce overall market volatility.
Over-the-counter trading (OTC) occurs directly between trading parties instead of over an exchange. Many institutions (as well as whales) use OTC as a mechanism to mitigate slippage and prevent scalping, front-running, and other volume-related losses.
In an interview with Cheddar, Christine Sandler, head of sales at Coinbase, described the move as âopportunistic,â and a response to client demand.
Furthermore, Sandler mentions that Coinbase is launching the service to beat out competitors Poloniex and Gemini. Poloniex acquired its OTC services in February, Circle Trade, in an acquisition, while the Winklevossâ launched Gemini OTC in April.

Unlike Coinbaseâs competitors, Coinbase will not only âtrade on a proprietary basis,â but will also âmatch client orders.â This bodes well for users of the service, resulting in lower fees and lower settlement times.
According to Sandler, the service would allow trades to settle âseamlessly and instantlyâ with funds available for âimmediate withdrawal,â and with âno possibility of a failed trade,â and âno need to chase down wires and blockchain transfers.â
Additionally, Sandler claims that this wonât just impact institutional users. All Coinbase customersâand the cryptocurrency markets more broadlyâcould potentially benefit from lower volatility.
Coinbaseâs Stable Coin
In another daring move, Coinbase also launched its own stable coin, USDC, competing with the likes of Tether, True USD, and USD Coin. Speaking on its success, Sandler said that USDC is âone of the most liquid stable coins that is trading right now,â and speaking on its impact on the markets more broadly:
âWhen you think about volatility you think about the complement of how do you mitigate that volatility for users of cryptocurrency. And, a stable coin absolutely does that [mitigates volatility].â
Market and Global Impact
Speaking on the recent market downturn, Sandler also says that there is an upside. Institutions may be thinking that this is a prime opportunity to enter at a lower price:
âThere is one upside to the recent volatility, that crypto has been front and center to the mainstream media, and that has driven a lot of institutions to think whether this is an opportunistic investment point.â
Regardless of market conditions, progress by Coinbase is helping make cryptocurrency available to everyone. Broader and easier access could have widespread ramifications. As Sandler eloquently stated:
âThe opportunity for us to offer and have financial services for the unbanked globally is really coming alive.â