Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam has demonstrated his bullish stance on the US crypto exchange by spending a whopping $50 million on the company’s stock. This bold move comes after Ehrsam’s sale of $270 million worth of Coinbase stock following the company’s public listing on the Nasdaq Exchange in April 2021.
There are two sides to this coin, with Ehrsam seemingly doubling down on his belief in Coinbase’s future potential, while many would argue that the risk associated with his decision cannot be ignored. The cryptocurrency exchange’s stock has experienced an 85% decrease since its listing over two years ago, the price having dropped from $381 per share to just $60.35. However, in year-to-date terms, the stock is faring better, with an increase of 81%.
Ehrsam’s investment follows similar purchases made by other Coinbase insiders, such as Shopify CEO Tobias Lutke, who had been spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on the stock every week throughout the beginning of the year. As Ehrsam’s bullish move generates praise from some quarters, others question the wisdom of such a risky investment.
Despite stepping down from his day-to-day role at Coinbase in 2017, Ehrsam continues to be actively involved with the company as a company director. In addition to his work with Coinbase, he has also co-founded a crypto-focused investment firm called Paradigm.
Taking into account Ehrsam’s significant investment in Coinbase stock and his experience in the cryptocurrency world, it seems that he is undeterred by the risk associated with the crypto market. Although skeptics may perceive his investment as a gamble, Ehrsam’s faith in the future of the company is evident.
The main question to consider is whether this investment will indeed pay off, or if it will ultimately end up being a costly mistake. The future of cryptocurrencies, particularly concerning their regulation and use, is uncertain, making it difficult to predict the trajectory of Coinbase’s stock price. Nevertheless, Ehrsam’s investment demonstrates his unwavering conviction in the potential of Coinbase and the wider cryptocurrency market.
Source: Blockworks