Coinbase VP Shares Plans to ‘Do More’ With Meme Coins As Trump Promises Regulatory Clarity

Donald Trump’s return to the White House is sparking excitement across the cryptocurrency industry, including at Coinbase, the largest U.S.-based crypto exchange.

The company is optimistic that the incoming administration will provide much-needed regulatory clarity, paving the way for a broader range of token listings, including meme coins.

Tom Duff Gordon, Coinbase’s Vice President of International Policy, shared the company’s vision for expanding its offerings in a recent interview with Bloomberg.

“Once the Trump administration offers more specifics around its plans for the digital-asset sector, Coinbase will be able to do more with projects and tokens that were previously out of reach,” Gordon said.

Trump Win Sparks Crypto Market Rebound

Coinbase’s optimism comes at a time when the crypto market is rebounding, fueled by Trump’s pro-crypto stance.

The president-elect’s commitment to appoint supportive regulators and his pledge to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve mark a stark departure from the recent enforcement-heavy regulatory environment.

Gordon said that Coinbase aims to list smaller tokens, including meme coins, which have gained popularity despite regulatory scrutiny.

One notable example is Dogecoin, a Shiba Inu-themed cryptocurrency endorsed by Trump supporter Elon Musk, which has surged over 170% in the past month.

Huge!@Coinbase VP @tomduffgordon says the exchange is optimistic that the incoming administration will provide much-needed regulatory clarity, paving the way for a broader range of token listings, including #meme coins.#Altcoins #AltcoinSeason #Crypto pic.twitter.com/zWMcXIPYAz

— MemeWhale🐋🚀 (@meme__whale) November 22, 2024

While Coinbase already offers major cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, the exchange has faced challenges in expanding its token roster.

U.S. regulators, particularly the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), have labeled many cryptocurrencies as securities, creating legal roadblocks.

Coinbase itself is battling an SEC lawsuit accusing it of operating an unregistered securities exchange and improperly offering staking services.

Despite these challenges, Coinbase has taken steps to diversify its operations and reduce reliance on the volatile U.S. market.

In 2023, the company launched a global platform across 38 countries, including Singapore, Australia, and France, and introduced a derivatives exchange in Bermuda to capitalize on high-volume markets.

Coinbase to Shift Toward More Revenue Streams

Gordon also said Coinbase aims to shift toward more predictable revenue streams, such as stablecoin fees, staking rewards, and subscription services.

“We want to build an earnings profile that isn’t entirely dependent on market volatility,” he explained.

As Trump prepares to take office, the expectation of reduced regulatory friction offers hope for U.S.-based exchanges like Coinbase.

Gordon reiterated the company’s commitment to the American market, stating, “The U.S. will continue to be our most important market.

It’s where we employ most of our staff and serve the majority of our users.”

The cryptocurrency sector has become a significant player in political financing during the 2024 election cycle, with industry-funded PACs raising a total of $190 million.

The Winklevoss twins, Cameron and Tyler, stand out as the largest individual donors, having contributed a combined $10.1 million.

Other significant contributors from the cryptocurrency industry include Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, who has given over $1.3 million to both Republican and Democratic PACs.

As reported, Coinbase has also announced a $25 million donation to the super political action committee Fairshake, aiming to bolster support for pro-crypto candidates in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.