Coinbase DEX Trading Launch Sparks Impressive Base Token Surge

Key Points

• Coinbase DEX Trading Launch Spurs Base Token Surge
• Coinbase adds in-app DEX trading, powered by Base blockchain
• Available to most US users except New York due to regulations
• Base tokens, including Aerodome Finance, see a major price spike
• Solana integration and more networks planned in future updates

Coinbase has officially rolled out in-app DEX trading, a long-awaited move set to make decentralized markets more accessible to everyday traders.

Powered by the Base blockchain, the feature allows users to trade directly from the Coinbase app,  without juggling multiple platforms, wallets, or transaction fees.

The launch has already sent ripples through the market, with Base-linked tokens jumping in value shortly after the announcement. Similar to how policy shifts, like Trump’s 401(k) crypto move, have triggered massive market reactions, Coinbase’s update is proving that accessibility can drive adoption.

We’re starting the rollout of DEX trading in the U.S. (excluding NY). Our goal is to make Coinbase the simplest way to access onchain markets.

You’ll be able to trade millions of @base assets in the Coinbase app.

Support for @solana is coming soon too. pic.twitter.com/YWkCxJEN9d

— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) August 8, 2025

Coinbase DEX Trading Simplifies Decentralized Access

For months, Coinbase had hinted at deeper integration with decentralized finance (DeFi). At its June 2025 Crypto Summit, CEO Brian Armstrong teased an upcoming feature that would allow users to tap into DEX markets without leaving the Coinbase ecosystem. Now, that promise has arrived.

The new Coinbase DEX trading tool is fully integrated into the Coinbase app for most US customers, excluding residents of New York State due to BitLicense restrictions. The service runs on the Base blockchain, Coinbase’s in-house layer-2 network built on Ethereum.

list all DEX tokens.

but i keep getting rugged by the bitlicense. https://t.co/CsHLKBC2kF

— mcclick (@kyle) August 8, 2025

Here’s what makes this rollout stand out:

• Self-custody wallet integration: Users maintain control of their private keys.

• No network fees: Coinbase will cover transaction costs during trades, removing a common barrier for small investors.

• Streamlined trading: No need to manually connect an external wallet or switch between apps.

Armstrong described the move as “a big step towards bringing DeFi to the mainstream,” noting that future updates will integrate other blockchains, starting with Solana.

This evolution mirrors broader trends in crypto, where legal battles such as the XRP lawsuit dismissal and speculation around a possible Ripple IPO have shown that major announcements can reshape investor sentiment overnight.

However, not everyone is celebrating. Critics point out that Coinbase’s DEX experience still relies heavily on centralized infrastructure.

While users can interact with decentralized protocols, Coinbase controls the app interface, custodial pathways, and underlying Base network,  all of which raise questions about how “decentralized” this DEX is.

Market Reaction and Growing Debate on Centralization

The launch of Coinbase DEX trading immediately triggered market activity. Aerodome Finance,  the largest DEX on the Base blockchain, surged in price within hours. Several other Base tokens saw double-digit gains, riding the wave of excitement.

Aerodome Finance Price Performance. Source: CoinGecko Techtoken

Traders praised the move for making DEX participation less intimidating. For many, interacting with decentralized platforms has been a technical challenge involving wallet setups, seed phrases, and manual gas fee management.

Now, the Coinbase app handles those steps automatically, lowering the entry barrier for first-time DeFi users.

This boost in accessibility comes at a time when broader macroeconomic shifts, such as warnings following the Fed rate cut, are influencing trading behavior. Easier access to decentralized markets could offer traders more flexibility during uncertain market conditions.

It’s criminal that @coinbase is allowing for DEX trading via the app for @virtuals_io agents but doesn’t have $VIRTUAL listed lmeow pic.twitter.com/QJwf0ogUOC

— Chop (@chop324) August 8, 2025

Yet, some in the crypto community voiced concerns over Coinbase listing DEX-tradable tokens that it won’t list on its centralized exchange.

For example, tokens like VIRTUALS, which can be traded via the new DEX feature, remain unavailable on Coinbase’s regular trading platform. This selective approach has led to debates over fairness, accessibility, and compliance strategies.

Another point of contention is the growing trend of what some call “de-decentralization.” As large institutions integrate DEX-like services, the ethos of permissionless, community-run finance could be at risk.

Critics argue that if Coinbase’s model becomes the norm, users may think they’re using a decentralized exchange while still operating under a centralized company’s control.

I think CEXs should rephrase « DEX trading » to « on-chain trading » when operating on a chain they built.

Coinbase fully operates Base’s core infrastructure, nothing decentralized here. https://t.co/NeoRxHCrZ8

— Saint Pump (@Saint_Pump) August 8, 2025

We’ve already seen how institutional involvement impacts liquidity, as explored in the Bitcoin and Ripple liquidity trends report. If more companies follow Coinbase’s model, this trend could accelerate.

Despite these concerns, the general sentiment remains positive among retail traders. For many, the priority is not the purity of decentralization, but rather ease of use. By combining CEX-level convenience with DEX token variety, Coinbase could capture a significant portion of the DeFi-curious audience in the US market.

Interestingly, the timing of this launch also aligns with heightened market volatility caused by token-specific events,  such as MemeFi’s Binance delisting,  showing that trader appetite for new opportunities remains high regardless of setbacks in certain sectors.

With Solana support and further blockchain integrations on the roadmap, Coinbase DEX trading may soon become one of the largest entry points to decentralized markets for American investors.

And with Base tokens already benefiting from the launch, this could mark the start of a new growth cycle for Coinbase’s ecosystem.