Coinbase is moving to deepen its push into advanced crypto trading by partnering with Kemet, a New York-based company founded by an Egyptian entrepreneur. The company said that its goal is to make it easier for large financial players to access complex trading tools without dealing with multiple systems. The story was first reported by TechCabal on Tuesday morning.
Through this partnership, institutional clients will be able to connect to Coinbase’s different trading platforms from one place. This includes its main exchange, derivatives platform, international exchange, and even Deribit, which Coinbase acquired in 2025. Instead of switching between tools, everything will sit under a single system.
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What Kemet Actually Brings to Coinbase
Kemet is built to handle the kind of trading that large firms rely on every day. It combines order placement, trade execution, and risk tracking into one platform, replacing what is usually done across separate systems.
In an interview with TechCabal, Ash Ashmawy, the founder, said: “Coinbase has effectively combined options, perpetuals, futures, and spot trading under one name… and we are building the tools to help institutions use that fully.”
Instead of Coinbase trying to build these tools itself, it is relying on a partner that already focuses on this space. That allows Coinbase to keep its attention on running large, regulated markets while still improving the experience for institutional users.
The timing of this move is not random. Crypto derivatives have become one of the biggest parts of the digital asset market. In 2025 alone, the sector processed tens of trillions of dollars in trading volume, far more than regular spot trading.
Platforms like Binance currently dominate this space, holding a large share of global activity. That has pushed other companies, including Coinbase, to build stronger offerings so they can compete at the same level.
By working with Kemet, Coinbase is trying to close that gap while also attracting more traditional financial institutions that expect smoother and more familiar trading systems.
Africa’s Role in the Bigger Crypto Picture
Even though Kemet has Egyptian roots, the reality on the ground in Africa is still developing. Countries like Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Ethiopia are seeing strong growth in crypto usage, mostly driven by everyday users rather than large institutions.
Data from Chainalysis shows that the region received over $180 billion in crypto value within a year, highlighting how active the market has become. Still, most of that activity is focused on simple buying and selling.
Institutional trading, especially derivatives, is still limited. Regulatory uncertainty and a lack of strong market infrastructure continue to slow things down. Ashmawy pointed this out clearly, noting that many African markets are not yet ready for this level of trading.
Coinbase’s Broader Strategy Beyond the US
This partnership also fits into a larger plan. Coinbase has been expanding its reach outside the United States, especially in regions where crypto adoption is growing quickly. Its work with companies like Yellow Card and Onboard shows a focus on payments and stablecoins across Africa.
At the same time, its blockchain network Base is gaining traction for low-cost transactions. Adding a stronger derivatives offering could open the door for future institutional activity, even in regions where the market is still developing.
Kemet has already processed billions in trading volume since it launched, and its role in this partnership signals growing demand for more structured and professional trading tools in crypto.
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