Coinbase to Acquire Crypto Options Platform Deribit in $2.9 Billion Deal
Coinbase announced Thursday that it had reached an agreement to acquire Deribit, a Panama-based cryptocurrency options exchange, in a deal valued at approximately $2.9 billion. The transaction, which includes $700 million in cash and 11 million shares of Coinbase Class A stock, is expected to close by the end of the year, pending regulatory approval. The move marks a significant expansion of Coinbase’s presence in the global crypto derivatives market, adding a major options platform to its portfolio that already includes spot and futures trading. Expansion of Derivatives Business Founded in 2016, Deribit operates outside the U.S. and specialises in crypto options, with a reported $30 billion in current open interest and over $1 trillion in trading volume in the past year. Coinbase said the acquisition positions the company as a global leader in crypto derivatives by volume and open interest. The deal brings together Deribit’s institutional client base with Coinbase’s existing retail and institutional trading platforms. Coinbase offers futures trading to U.S. customers through its registered subsidiaries and provides spot and perpetual futures trading internationally. By acquiring Deribit, Coinbase aims to broaden its international reach and provide a full suite of crypto trading products—spot, futures, perpetual futures, and now options—under a single platform. Financial Impact and Strategic Goals Coinbase stated the acquisition will contribute to revenue diversification and profitability. Unlike spot trading, options revenue tends to be less cyclical, offering greater stability across market conditions. Deribit reportedly has a consistent record of positive adjusted EBITDA, which Coinbase expects to continue and scale post-acquisition. The transaction reflects broader strategic ambitions by Coinbase to strengthen its position in non-U.S. markets, where demand for crypto derivatives remains high among institutional and advanced traders. Deribit CEO Luuk Strijers, who is expected to remain with the company following the acquisition, said that joining Coinbase would support global expansion and provide broader trading opportunities for clients. Regulatory Review Pending The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory review. Coinbase did not disclose which jurisdictions will oversee approval of the acquisition. If approved, the acquisition will represent one of Coinbase’s largest transactions, marking a pivotal moment in its effort to scale beyond U.S. markets and solidify its role in the global crypto derivatives ecosystem.
Best Places to Spend Crypto in Romania
Source: Freepik Key Takeaways An Overview of Spending Crypto in Romania Romania is steadily establishing itself in the global crypto landscape, as cryptocurrencies transition from being just investments to becoming part of everyday transactions. While adoption is still expanding and not all businesses accept digital payments, well-known merchants like Kartela and PC Garage now support cryptocurrency. This allows customers to make purchases more easily using digital assets. Interestingly, as of February 2025, the country ranks among the top 11 globally for reported crypto ATMs, providing convenient access to cash when needed. With an expected 5.65 million crypto users by 2025, the country’s crypto adoption is also growing rapidly, making it easier than ever to spend digital assets. Furthermore, a major step toward mainstream adoption came in 2021 when Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu became the first in Romania to allow students to pay tuition in crypto. This reflects the country’s expanding blockchain ecosystem, opening new opportunities for both individuals and businesses. Here’s a look at the best places to spend crypto in Romania and make the most of your digital assets. Best Places to Spend Crypto in Romania S/N Best Places to Spend Crypto in Romania Category 1 PC Garage Online Shopping & Electronics 2 Kartela Mobile and Prepaid Services 3 Altex Online Shopping & Electronics 4 Travala.com Travel and Accomodation 5 Hotelul Popasul Regelui Transalpina Accomodation 6 PeFoc.ro Home Heating & Fireplaces 7 ATVROM Powersports & Vehicles PC Garage Supported Crypto: Bitcoin PC Garage is a leading online retailer in Romania specializing in IT and communication products. Based in Bucharest, the store has a wide range of laptops, gaming computers, mobile devices, monitors, and other electronics. You can conveniently pay with Bitcoin, making it a great option for crypto users. As one of the best places to spend crypto in Romania, PC Garage provides a seamless shopping experience for tech enthusiasts looking to use digital currencies. Kartela Supported Crypto: Bitcoin Kartela makes it easy to recharge your prepaid SIM from anywhere in Romania with just an internet connection. You can top up any network instantly and pay with Bitcoin, making it a hassle-free option for crypto users. The platform provides a quick way to keep your mobile balance topped up using digital currency. Altex Supported Crypto: Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, Binance Pay via Bitrefill Altex is Romania’s leading retailer for electronics, home appliances, IT, and multimedia products, offering everything from laptops and gaming consoles to perfumes and baby products at great prices. While crypto payments aren’t accepted directly, you can buy Altex gift cards on platforms like Bitrefill using Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, Binance Pay, and more. Travala Supported Crypto: BTC, ETH, BNB, USDT, AVA, XRP, ADA, TRX, LTC, DOT, DAI, BCH, LINK, and XLM Travala.com makes it easy to explore Romania with its extensive selection of hotels, safaris, and travel experiences. As a leading crypto-native booking platform, it accepts over 100 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB, USDT, and more. Additionally, you can enjoy seamless bookings and even earn up to 10% back in Bitcoin. Hotelul Popasul Regelui Transalpina Alt text: Homepage of Hotel Popasul Regelui Transalpina Supported Crypto: Bitcoin Nestled in the Tău Bistra, Hotel Popasul Regelui Transalpina provides a relaxing getaway with stunning lake views. You can enjoy family-friendly accommodations, a restaurant, an on-site grocery store, and free WiFiTh Additionally, the hotel also features a sauna, hot tub, and playground. As the first hotel in Romania to accept crypto payments in 2018, guests can pay with Bitcoin. ……and now more and more people want to be able to pay a service with Bitcoin. I was surprised by the growing number of such requests, which mainly came through our website, especially from tourists outside the country.” Traian Cornea, manager of Popasul Regelui Hotel. PeFoc.ro Category: Home Heating & FireplacesSupported Cryptos: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), MultiversX (EGLD), Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), and other tokens PeFoc.ro is a major Romanian online retailer specializing in fireplaces, stoves, grills, and other home heating solutions. The company has a modern and well-documented crypto payment option, demonstrating a strong commitment to serving customers in the Web3 space through a regulated payment provider. At checkout, select the option “Plata online prin xMoney (crypto)”. You will be directed to the xMoney portal where you can select your preferred cryptocurrency asset, scan a QR code with your wallet, and confirm the transaction. This makes purchasing home heating equipment with cryptocurrency straightforward and secure. ATVROM Category: Powersports & VehiclesSupported Cryptos: Bitcoin (BTC), MultiversX (EGLD) ATVROM is Romania’s leading national dealer for ATVs, SSVs (side-by-side vehicles), motorcycles, and other powersports vehicles and equipment. They offer crypto payments through NETOPIA, Romania’s largest payment processor, making it a convenient option for high-value purchases. During checkout, choose the payment method “Plata prin BTC / eGLD”. The system will redirect you to the Netopia – mobilPay gateway where you can scan a QR code to complete the payment within a 10-minute window. This is ideal for purchasing vehicles and equipment worth thousands of euros using cryptocurrency. Tools For Spending Crypto in Romania Source: Freepik As crypto adoption grows, several tools make spending crypto in Romania easier and more convenient. From wallets to Bitcoin ATMs, here are the key tools that can help: Crypto Debit Cards Crypto debit cards make it possible to spend crypto anywhere traditional card payments are accepted. The UPay Card is one of the options available in Romania, allowing users to instantly convert crypto into fiat for everyday purchases. However, if you need to withdraw, the UPay Card comes with a 2% withdrawal fee. Crypto Wallets To use cryptocurrency for payments, you need a secure and reliable way to store and access your digital assets. This is where platforms like Upay come in. UPay allows users in Romania to manage their crypto holdings, send and receive payments, and even integrate with merchants that accept digital currencies. Bitcoin ATMs Since not all businesses accept crypto payments, Bitcoin ATMs provide an alternative for accessing cash. Romania has several crypto ATMs, with locations