Market Experts Express Caution Ahead of Coinbase Earnings Report

As Coinbase Global, Inc. prepares to release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financial results after the U.S. market close today, a palpable sense of apprehension surrounds the leading cryptocurrency exchange. The company's shares have declined approximately 6% in anticipation, trading near $152, reflecting dampened market expectations. This pre-earnings slump coincides with several prominent investment banks significantly reducing their price targets for the stock, signaling widespread investor nervousness.

In the days leading up to the earnings announcement, key financial institutions have downwardly revised their assessments. JPMorgan slashed its target price from $399 to $290. Similarly, Citi reduced its objective from $505 to $400, while Cantor Fitzgerald adjusted its forecast to $221. Analysts cite weaker trading volumes across the crypto market and a challenging macroeconomic backdrop as primary reasons for these corrections.

The performance of Bitcoin, a critical driver for the industry, has added to the pressure. The digital asset has fallen roughly 27% over the past month to around $67,000, directly impacting Coinbase's transaction-based revenue model.

Strategic Pivot Towards AI and Automation

Despite near-term stock price pressures, Coinbase continues to advance its technological roadmap. On February 12, the exchange officially launched its "Agentic Wallets"—digital wallets autonomously managed by artificial intelligence.

Leveraging the x402 protocol, these AI systems can independently execute trades, process payments, and manage assets within programmable security parameters. This strategic move positions Coinbase at the convergence of two high-growth sectors: blockchain and artificial intelligence. Industry projections suggest autonomous agents could handle a substantial portion of global transactions by 2030.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Coinbase?

Executive Share Sales Add to Investor Concerns

Further weighing on market sentiment are recent stock sales by CEO Brian Armstrong. Between April 2025 and January 2026, Armstrong sold shares worth approximately $550 million. Although these transactions were executed under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 trading plan, the scale of the sales has contributed to investor unease.

Since the start of 2026, Coinbase equity has lost about 34% of its value, leaving it trading significantly below its 52-week high.

Key Data Points:
* Earnings Release: February 12, 2026 (after U.S. market close)
* Current Share Price: ~$152 (down 6% pre-market)
* Adjusted Price Targets: JPMorgan $290, Citi $400, Cantor Fitzgerald $221
* Recent Product Launch: AI-powered "Agentic Wallets"
* Market Context: Bitcoin down 27% month-over-month

Today's quarterly report is expected to reveal the extent to which the subdued crypto environment has affected Coinbase's business. Investors will likely scrutinize revenue trends and management's forward-looking guidance most closely.