In a surprising development amid ongoing debates over exchange listing practices, Coinbase has added BNB — the native token of rival exchange Binance and the BNB Chain — to its official asset listing roadmap.
This marks the first time Coinbase has signaled support for the asset, which ranks as the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap.
The move was revealed on October 15, 2025, just minutes after Coinbase unveiled “The Blue Carpet,” a new issuer program offering free listings, direct access to the listings team, asset-page customization, and referral discounts for services like market-maker matching.
BNB’s addition to the roadmap at 4:45 p.m. UTC emphasizes a merit-based approach, with trading set to launch only after meeting liquidity and technical criteria — no fees required.
The decision comes amid industry criticism of listing standards, including accusations against Binance for demanding up to 8% of a project’s token supply and $2M in BNB deposits for listings.
Coinbase’s Jesse Pollak head of Base had publicly called for zero-cost listings, prompting calls to “lead by example” by adding BNB. Critics like Arca CIO Jeff Dorman have faulted Coinbase for inconsistent curation, but this step appears to address those concerns by embracing a revenue-backed token like BNB.
BNB’s price saw a brief uptick post-announcement, reflecting broader trends in cross-chain interoperability and regulatory clarity in the US and Europe. However, full listing isn’t guaranteed, pending infrastructure readiness.
Gold futures shattered records yesterday, surging to a fresh all-time high (ATH) of $4,218.17 per troy ounce on October 15, 2025 — eclipsing the prior peak of $4,014.60 from October 7.
The spot price hovered around $4,184.22 midday, up over 1.4% for the session and more than 50% year-to-date. Escalating US-China trade frictions, including renewed tariff threats on soybeans, rare earths, and shipbuilding under President Trump, have fueled safe-haven demand.
A weakening US dollar, expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts 75 bps by year-end, per Commerzbank, and strong central bank/ETF inflows (projected to hit 3,900 metric tons by end-2025) propelled the rally.
This is gold’s 45th ATH in 2025, with the climb from $3,500 to $4,000 taking just 36 days. It outperforms the S&P 500’s momentum and surpasses inflation-adjusted 1980 highs.
Analysts like UBS and Commerzbank see potential for $3,600 by year-end though recent surges suggest upside, with resistance at $4,084-$4,113. Pullbacks may occur if overbought conditions ease, but volatility favors bulls in uncertain times.
These events highlight intertwined market dynamics: crypto’s push for transparency amid rivalry, and gold’s enduring appeal as a hedge. The Blue Carpet, a comprehensive, fee-free program designed to streamline and enhance the asset listing process for digital token issuers.
Described by Coinbase as a “revamped asset-listing experience” aimed at onchain builders, the initiative consolidates previously fragmented services into a single, accessible bundle.
It emphasizes transparency, merit-based evaluation, and direct support, positioning Coinbase as a more collaborative gateway for projects entering the $3.75 trillion cryptocurrency market.
The Blue Carpet evokes a blue-themed nod to Coinbase’s branding, symbolizing a welcoming, structured pathway from application to post-listing growth. As per Coinbase’s official blog, it’s “our commitment to providing unparalleled support — from the moment you start building to long after your asset is live.”
This launch aligns with broader trends like tokenization projected to reach $10 trillion by BlackRock’s Larry Fink and regulatory pushes for compliant onchain assets, but it also arrives amid criticism of centralized exchange (CEX) gatekeeping.
In essence, The Blue Carpet is not just a procedural tweak; it’s a strategic pivot toward ecosystem-building, potentially onboarding $50 billion in new listings by 2027 while countering declining spot liquidity.
The program bundles tools and services to address common pain points in listings: opacity, delays often 6-12 months, and ancillary costs. All elements are free to apply for, with no prerequisites like marketing fees or service mandates — a direct rebuke to rivals accused of “pay-to-play” models.
Access is straightforward: Issuers apply via a dedicated portal, with vetting remaining merit-based — no guarantees, but roadmap inclusion (like BNB’s) signals intent pending liquidity and technical readiness.
Coinbase stresses that while perks encourage ecosystem alignment via custody or Base integration, they’re optional, preserving neutrality. The Blue Carpet emerges against a backdrop of industry scrutiny.
Just days prior, Coinbase executives like Jesse Pollak publicly advocated for “zero-cost listings,” echoing criticisms of Binance’s alleged demands for 8% token allocations or $2 million in BNB deposits.
Arca CIO Jeff Dorman and others had accused Coinbase of inconsistent curation, favoring low-traffic projects over established chains like BNB or Tron. By launching a transparent, no-fee program and immediately roadmapping BNB, Coinbase “leads by example,” thawing historical rivalries and signaling openness to cross-chain assets.
Spot volumes lag derivatives amid leverage dominance; enhanced listings could lift trading by 15%, stabilizing BTC in the $110K-$120K range. Aligns with U.S. FIT21 and EU MiCA, pressuring for CFTC oversight and hybrid finance. IMF mandates for adaptation further underscore compliant gateways.
Empowerment is clear — startups bypass regulatory drags like NY BitLicense’s 18-month waits, while established projects like Ripple gain DEX visibility. Emerging markets in African remittances via tokenized stables benefit from low-friction onboarding, potentially accelerating $300 billion in stablecoin growth.
However, it risks “ecosystem lock-in”: Perks subtly favor Coinbase tools, echoing Apple’s model and potentially sidelining competitors like Kraken. Greater asset diversity could enhance liquidity and reduce rugs post-FTX, 52% of scams tie to unvetted tokens.
BNB’s roadmap spotlights interoperability, with its 70% YTD gains underscoring cross-exchange potential. Analysts forecast 20+ quality listings by Q1 2026, countering USDC outflows and bolstering spot rails.
Competitive landscape pressures Binance to match transparency, fostering collaboration over cutthroat tactics. For DEXs like Uniswap, it hybridizes models, blending CEX compliance with DeFi speed.
The Blue Carpet marks Coinbase’s maturation from gatekeeper to enabler, blending TradFi discipline with Web3 openness in a tokenization-driven era. If executed rigorously — strong vetting, 20+ listings by early 2026, and regulatory alignment — it could catalyze $50 billion in inflows, reshape CEX dynamics, and legitimize onchain assets for institutions.
