- Institutional investors control 47.89% of Coinbase’s stock, with the largest stakeholders being AH Equity Partners III, Vanguard Group, and ARK Investment Management.
- Marc Andreessen, the US technology entrepreneur, and investor, is the single largest shareholder with a 6.32% stake.
In the world of digital currencies, Coinbase Global (COIN), one of the globe’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volume, takes center stage. The platform offers a unique avenue for stock market participants to interact with crypto markets indirectly. Given the potential impact of substantial stock purchases or sales by large shareholders, identifying who owns the most shares of Coinbase becomes imperative.
The recent data (as of October 7) reveals that there are approximately 225 million outstanding shares of Coinbase. Institutional investors command the lion’s share, owning about 47.89%, translating to 107.83 million shares. Retail investors hold a comparatively smaller portion – around 34.11% or 76.8 million shares. Insider stakeholders control the balance.
Among the legion of shareholders, two insiders, Marc Andreessen and Frederick Ernest Ehrsam III, hold prominent positions. Andreessen, a renowned technology entrepreneur and investor, is the principal shareholder, boasting a 6.32% stake comprising 14.2 million shares. His stake, valued at roughly $938.62 million as of October 7, cements his position as the leading figure in the Coinbase ownership hierarchy.
Concurrently, Frederick Ernest Ehrsam III, a co-founder of Coinbase, is the fifth-largest stakeholder. He holds 3.78% of the company, or 8.5 million shares, with an estimated value of $561.62 million. A critical trend is that Coinbase insiders have been net buyers over the past year, purchasing about 1.36 million shares and selling 1.19 million.
Among institutional investors, AH Equity Partners III, an investment venture associated with Marc Andreessen, is the leading shareholder with a 4.83% stake. Vanguard Group follows closely with a 4.74% stake, and ARK Investment Management, with its 3.98% holding, completes the top three.
Notably, Marc Andreessen’s investment in Coinbase isn’t an isolated incident but part of a broader narrative. His venture capital firm, Andreessen Horowitz, has led several funding rounds for Coinbase and holds additional stakes through different investment vehicles. Andreessen’s bullish stance on the long-term potential of cryptocurrencies and his continued investment in the space underscores his conviction in this nascent industry.
Vanguard Group, a globally recognized asset management firm, also represents the rising institutional interest in blockchain technology, as evident from their Coinbase stake. ARK Investment Management, renowned for focusing on disruptive innovation, aligns with this sentiment, showcasing a strong belief in the long-term potential of cryptocurrencies.
