Coinbase said it will acquire Solana-based Vector, a move aimed at strengthening on-chain trading and speeding token listings inside its decentralized exchange (DEX) stack. A DEX lets people trade crypto directly from their wallets without a middleman.
What changes for users
- Vectors mobile and desktop apps will shut down by Nov. 26. Vector asked users to close positions and export private keys.
- Vectors team and real-time token tracking tools will be folded into Coinbases integrated DEX system to help list new assets faster.
- The Tensor Foundationwhich oversees the Tensor NFT marketplace and its TNSR tokenremains independent from Coinbase.
Coinbase disclosed the deal in a blog post but did not share price terms. The company expects the acquisition to close by year-end.
Why it matters
This deal signals Coinbases push to bring more trading on-chain, where crypto assets can be swapped without custodians. Folding Vector into its DEX toolkit could reduce the time it takes to support new Solana tokens, a key advantage during fast-moving market cycles. It also positions Coinbase to compete with pure on-chain platforms while still serving its large centralized exchange user base.
Solanas momentum, by the numbers
- Solana DEX volume topped $1 trillion in 2025, according to Messari.
- Solana is the No. 2 chain by total value locked (TVL)money parked in Decentralized Finance (DeFi) appswith over $8.7 billion, per DefiLlama.
- SOL trades near $125, making it the seventh-largest crypto with a market cap above $70 billion.
Vector was built by the team behind Tensor and started as a SocialFi app focused on trading Solana memecoins. That heritage aligns with Solanas retail-heavy flow and rapid token launches.
TNSRs wild week
TNSRthe token used by Tensor and, since January, by Vectorbegan a multi-day rally on Nov. 18, jumping as high as $0.29 after months in the $0.03$0.11 range. It was recently around $0.18 at press time. Token prices are volatile and can change quickly.
Inside Coinbases on-chain buildout
The Vector deal follows a string of on-chain moves. In October, Coinbase bought fundraising platform Echo for $375 million. In July, it acquired Liquifi, a token-creation platform used to help Coinbase Prime clients track token ownership, unlock schedules, and compliance.
Coinbase also rebranded its wallet app as Base earlier this year, bringing together web3 wallet functions, trading, messaging, and mini apps. The company has said it plans to support tokenized real-world assets, stocks, derivatives, and prediction marketsaiming for a single app where people invest, pay, and trade.
That all-in-one trend is spreading across fintech, with companies like X and Robinhood building super-app features that blend brokerage, payments, and crypto.
What to watch next
- Integration speed: How quickly Coinbase surfaces Vectors token tools in its DEX and wallet flows will show the near-term impact.
- Listing cadence: Faster Solana token support could draw traders seeking early access to new assets.
- Regulatory path: Coinbase still needs to close the deal and navigate rules around token listings and on-chain trading in the U.S.
The market angle
Coinbase went public in 2021 and joined the S&P 500 in May. Shares of COIN recently traded near $241, up about 3% on the day of the announcement.
Bottom line
By absorbing Vector, Coinbase is doubling down on Solana and on-chain trading. If the integration works as planned, users could see faster token listings and richer data toolsall inside the Coinbase ecosystem.