Citron Slams Coinbase Over Regulatory ‘Fear’ — Why It’s Betting Big on Securitize Instead
Citron Research has ignited a recent debate on the intersection of crypto regulation, competitors, and Wall Street energy by publicly backing tokenization agency Securitize whereas sharply criticizing Coinbase for pulling assist from a key US crypto market construction invoice.
The conflict comes as Washington makes an attempt to finalize clearer guidelines for digital property and as conventional monetary gamers push deeper into blockchain-based finance.
The speedy market response reveals the strain, as shares of Cantor Equity Partners II, the special-purpose acquisition firm set to take Securitize public within the first half of 2026, jumped as a lot as 10% after Citron’s feedback earlier than settling to a modest acquire.
Coinbase inventory moved in the wrong way, falling almost 4% on the identical day.
Citron Links CLARITY Resistance to Competitive Pressure
Citron, led by Andrew Left, framed the episode as greater than a coverage disagreement, describing it as a wrestle over who will dominate the following part of crypto infrastructure.
In an announcement made on X, Citron argued that Coinbase’s opposition to the Senate Banking Committee’s draft market construction invoice, generally known as the CLARITY Act, was pushed by worry of competitors from corporations like Securitize.
Citron famous that Coinbase desires regulatory readability with out opening the door to rivals that already function with the licenses required to situation and handle tokenized equities.
The analysis agency mentioned a cleaner and extra permissive framework for tokenized securities would disproportionately profit Securitize, whose whole enterprise is constructed round that mannequin, whereas eroding Coinbase’s benefit in areas similar to stablecoin-related income.
Coinbase, in contrast, has publicly distanced itself from the current Senate draft.
Chief Executive Brian Armstrong cited a number of considerations, together with what he described as a de facto ban on tokenized equities, new restrictions affecting decentralized finance and consumer privateness, provisions that may weaken the Commodity Futures Trading Commission relative to the Securities and Exchange Commission, and language that may restrict rewards tied to stablecoins.
He argued that these components would make the invoice worse than the established order and accused banking pursuits of influencing restrictions on stablecoin yield, which Coinbase views as core to its enterprise.
Regulatory Fog Returns as Senate Postpones Crypto Bill Markup
Citron, on the opposite hand, believes Coinbase’s resistance reveals concern that regulated tokenization platforms might erode its place as crypto markets mature and institutional capital takes a bigger function.
Securitize has quietly emerged as one of many largest gamers within the real-world asset tokenization market, having issued greater than $4 billion in tokenized property up to now.
Its companions embrace BlackRock, which makes use of Securitize infrastructure for its BUIDL tokenized fund, in addition to Apollo, Hamilton Lane, KKR, and VanEck.
Unlike most crypto-native firms, Securitize operates with a regulated stack, holding broker-dealer and switch agent licenses that permit it to situation and handle tokenized securities inside present authorized frameworks.
Citron sees this positioning as important if US lawmakers achieve drawing firmer traces between securities and commodities in crypto markets.
The coverage outlook stays unsure after the Senate Banking Committee delayed its planned markup of a crypto market construction invoice, saying extra negotiations are wanted.
Coinbase’s place is drawing consideration in Washington, exhibiting its affect as a serious political donor and a key participant in previous regulatory talks.
Industry response to the proposal has been divided, with some executives and traders warning the draft might sluggish innovation in areas similar to tokenization, decentralized finance, and privacy-focused instruments.
Others argue that passing a framework, even an imperfect one, would offer readability and go away room for revisions by way of future amendments.
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The Senate Banking Committee delayed its crypto market construction markup after Coinbase withdrew assist, extending uncertainty over how digital property might be regulated.