Coinbase adds DEX trading in app

Coinbase adds on chain DEX trading inside its U.S. app, routing orders through aggregators like 0x and 1inch.

Coinbase Expands DEX Trading Inside App as It Builds a Full Crypto Ecosystem

Coinbase says it is adding on chain DEX trading inside its main app for U.S. customers, excluding New York. The feature routes trades on chain through DEX aggregators such as 0x and 1inch, drawing liquidity from decentralized markets including Uniswap and Aerodrome. At launch, traders can swap a growing list of Base native tokens and assets from projects such as Virtuals AI Agents, Reserve Protocols DTFs, SoSo Value index tokens, Auki Labs and Super Champs. The update aims to let users interact with blockchain liquidity pools without moving funds off the platform. A correction note later clarified that Centrifuge assets would not be available at launch.

Dex trading offers self custody and permissionless access. Transactions run on the blockchain, which can provide a wider asset range and sometimes lower fees, but it also carries risks such as smart contract bugs and liquidity thinness. DeFi data show daily DEX volume around 12.8 billion dollars, far above Coinbase’s on chain volume of 3.5 billion, while monthly DEX volume has surpassed 407 billion. The move strengthens Coinbase’s role as a gateway to both centralized and decentralized markets and reinforces the push to embed Web3 tools inside the core platform.

This is a strategic shift that blends centralized and decentralized finance in a single app. It signals Coinbase intends to capture users who want more control over how they trade and store assets, while keeping the convenience of a familiar platform. The trade off is a tighter line between user experience and risk, as on chain trading exposes customers to smart contract risk and the volatility of thin markets. Regulators and investors will watch closely to see how Coinbase addresses guardrails, security, and disclosures amid a landscape of evolving crypto rules.

The NY exclusion highlights ongoing regulatory boundaries and the challenge of scaling non custodial features nationwide. If the feature gains traction, Coinbase could push other exchanges to follow and accelerate the shift toward integrated DeFi access. The long term question is whether an all in one app can balance convenience with protection and how this will affect user trust and market competition.

Highlights

The next few quarters will show whether this integrated approach broadens Coinbase reach without inviting new risk.