Coinbase, a cryptocurrency exchange, has acquired Spindl, an onchain advertising and infrastructure platform, with the goal of increasing the visibility of projects built on its Ethereum layer-2 network, Base. This acquisition is part of Coinbase’s broader effort to improve onchain discovery and provide developers with tools to reach a larger audience.
On January 31, Coinbase announced the acquisition of Spindl, stating that it is rebuilding the ad tech stack onchain to create a decentralized advertising solution for blockchain builders. Spindl’s founder, Antonio García Martínez, who played a key role in developing Facebook’s original ads platform, is now leveraging smart contracts to create an advertising protocol that allows developers to efficiently promote their projects. Coinbase’s head of business development, Shan Aggarwal, described Spindl as the first robust onchain advertising protocol that benefits both builders and users.
Jesse Pollak, creator of Base, shared insights about the acquisition in a video on X, emphasizing that Spindl will equip developers with resources to expand their user base. Eric Seufert, an early investor, expressed his excitement about the Coinbase partnership and its potential impact on the future of blockchain-based advertising.
Coinbase’s acquisition of Spindl comes as the company continues to explore tokenized assets on Base. The company is considering offering tokenized shares of Coinbase stock to U.S. users, following its availability for international investors through platforms like Backed.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong recently discussed U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans for cryptocurrencies, stating that it has become a central topic of discussion in the industry. Armstrong praised Trump’s commitment to making the U.S. a leader in artificial intelligence and crypto, along with the leadership of Argentina’s President Javier Milei and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, for embracing free markets.
Among Trump’s speculated plans is the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which aligns with his broader vision for the industry as indicated in his latest executive order.
