Coinbase launches the first ever regulated Bitcoin exchange in the US
Coinbase, the Bitcoin wallet service, has launched the US’ first ever Bitcoin exchange.
The crypto-currency exchange platform, backed by investors such as the New York Stock Exchange, launched today (Monday 26 January), opening up its doors to 24 states and territories in the US.
Initial transactions will be free for users although past March 2015 the exchange will take a 0.25 percent cut.
A company spokesperson said: “We’re happy to announce Coinbase Exchange, the first regulated bitcoin exchange based in the U.S. With this launch our goal is to bring increased stability to the bitcoin ecosystem.
“We believe Coinbase Exchange will bring stability and trust to the exchange space and are excited that large institutions like the Trading Division of SecondMarket are already trading on the platform. “
Coinbase maintains 2.1 million consumer wallets who can pay for goods through 38,000 merchants.
The firm in September expanded to Europe to widen the reach of digital currency Bitcoin. By the end of 2015, Coinbase plans to operate in 29 countries across the globe.