Ark Investments founder, Cathie Wood, has recently claimed that Binance‘s legal issues in the US could ultimately be favorable for Coinbase Global Inc as it would eradicate competition. Wood explained in an interview with Bloomberg Television that Binance is facing increasing regulatory scrutiny for illicit activities, including fraud, which is causing competition for Coinbase to diminish. This, according to Wood, will be advantageous for Coinbase in the long term.
Interestingly, both Binance and Coinbase have been targeted by the securities regulator. The SEC filed lawsuits against both exchanges, accusing them of selling unregistered securities. Nonetheless, Wood, a major investor in Coinbase, continues to defend the exchange and explains that it has not been accused of any criminal activity. Wood added that the only common issues between Coinbase and Binance are the questions surrounding securities and staking, while other concerns related to Binance are not applicable to Coinbase.
Following the announcement of the SEC’s lawsuit against Coinbase, the COIN stock value declined to below $50. However, Wood saw this as an opportunity and invested $21 million in Coinbase shares through Ark Invest. The investment, made through the Ark Innovation ETF and the Fintech Innovation ETF funds, increased Ark Invest’s position as the fourth-largest holder of Coinbase stocks. Over the past year, Ark Invest has consistently added to its stock holdings during market dips.
Wood remains bullish on Coinbase and maintains her confidence in Bitcoin reaching a $1 million target. According to her, global economic uncertainties will likely bolster investor confidence in the cryptocurrency. In response to the SEC lawsuit, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong expressed their readiness to challenge the matter in the US High Court.
While the ongoing regulatory actions against Binance and Coinbase might create short-term challenges, the question remains whether this increased scrutiny will ultimately lead to a more resilient and legally compliant market, as Wood suggests, or if it will deter market participants and hinder innovation.
In conclusion, Cathie Wood’s assertion that Binance’s legal troubles could be favorable for Coinbase raises the question of whether increased regulation will ultimately benefit the cryptocurrency market or hamper its growth. While Wood remains optimistic about the future potential of Coinbase and the overall market – continuing to invest during market downturns – it’s important for investors to conduct their own research and consider the potential outcomes of ongoing regulatory actions before making decisions. As always, the presented content represents the personal opinions of the author and should not be considered as financial advice.
Source: Coingape
