Czech central bank invests in Coinbase shares
Czech National Bank makes historic crypto move with Coinbase investment
In a historic move, the Czech National Bank (CNB) has made its first direct investment into the crypto sector by purchasing 51,732 shares of Coinbase Global Inc., a leading U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange.
The acquisition, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Form 13F, was completed on July 14 and initially valued at $18.13 million, reports Crypto News.
As of now, with Coinbase shares trading at $387.06, the position is worth over $20 million, reflecting growing institutional confidence in crypto-related equities. This strategic investment marks the first time the Czech central bank has allocated public funds into a company operating entirely in the digital asset space.
Coinbase Stock Soars Amid Crypto Rally
Coinbase’s stock has surged by 55.88% year-to-date, according to Google Finance, fueled by a broader market rally in cryptocurrencies and recent corporate acquisitions like Deribit, a popular crypto options exchange. This appreciation in share value has boosted the Czech central bank’s initial investment by nearly $2 million in less than a week. Analysts view the central bank’s move as not just a financial investment but also a symbolic shift toward embracing digital finance infrastructure. As traditional financial institutions increasingly explore digital assets, the Czech National Bank’s decision places it among a small but growing group of public institutions testing the waters of crypto exposure.
Bitcoin Investment Proposal Still Under Review
The Coinbase stock purchase aligns with broader discussions within the Czech National Bank about entering the Bitcoin market directly. Earlier this year, Governor Aleš Michl proposed investing up to 5% of the central bank’s €140 billion reserves into Bitcoin as a diversification strategy. If approved, that would equate to a potential €7 billion BTC allocation, making the CNB one of the largest institutional holders of Bitcoin globally. However, internal resistance remains strong. Board member Jan Kubicek warned that Bitcoin’s volatility makes it a risky central bank asset, and no final decision has yet been made. For now, the CNB appears to be testing crypto exposure indirectly through publicly traded firms like Coinbase, while keeping the Bitcoin debate open for further evaluation.
Recently we wrote that Coinbase has strongly denied allegations that it was the anonymous source behind a recent Bloomberg report connecting Binance to USD1 — a new stablecoin project allegedly linked to U.S. President Donald Trump.
