Coinbase Spends $25M in USDC on NFT to Potentially Restart UpOnly Podcast

• Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong confirmed the $25 million USDC payment to podcast host Jordan Fish, known as Cobie.

• Onchain data from Arkham Intelligence verifies the transaction to restart the podcast after a three-year hiatus.

• The NFT, minted to control the podcast’s revival, was bought despite low market bids, highlighting Coinbase’s commitment to crypto content with 7,900% surges in related memecoins.

Coinbase’s $25M NFT buy revives UpOnly podcast amid crypto excitement. Discover the deal, memecoin frenzy, and what it means for Web3 media. Stay ahead—subscribe for daily crypto insights today!

What is Coinbase’s $25 Million NFT Purchase for the UpOnly Podcast?

Coinbase’s $25 million NFT purchase involves acquiring a specially minted non-fungible token that grants control over the revival of the UpOnly podcast, a once-thriving show in the crypto space. Confirmed by CEO Brian Armstrong on Tuesday, this move aims to relaunch the podcast for a new season after its last episode in December 2022. The transaction, executed in USDC, underscores Coinbase’s strategy to bolster crypto community engagement through high-profile media initiatives.

How Did the UpOnly Podcast NFT Transaction Unfold?

The NFT was created by Jordan Fish, better known as Cobie, the podcast’s host and a prominent crypto influencer. In May, Cobie publicly stated that decision-making power for the podcast’s return was embedded in this NFT, which, once burned, would trigger its restart. Onchain analytics from Arkham Intelligence reveal that Coinbase transferred $25 million in USDC to a wallet linked to Cobie, solidifying the deal. This purchase outpaced the NFT’s highest OpenSea bid of just 4.7 ETH, approximately $18,500, positioning it as the fifth most expensive NFT ever sold in crypto history, according to market trackers.

Originally launched during the 2021 bull market, UpOnly gained fame for its entertaining interviews with key crypto figures and was sponsored by FTX prior to the exchange’s 2022 collapse. The podcast’s content blended light-hearted discussions with industry alpha, attracting a dedicated audience. Post-FTX fallout, production halted, but this NFT acquisition revives it amid recovering NFT markets, which saw a rebound following a $1.2 billion wipeout in a recent crypto market dip. Experts note this as a bullish signal for crypto media, with NFT sales volumes up 15% year-over-year per Chainalysis reports.

Source: Brian Armstrong

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Coinbase spend $25 million on the UpOnly podcast NFT?

Coinbase invested $25 million in the NFT to secure rights to restart UpOnly, a podcast that was highly influential during the 2021 crypto boom. CEO Brian Armstrong highlighted the move to foster community-driven content, leveraging the platform’s past success with over 100 episodes featuring top industry voices. This aligns with Coinbase’s broader push into Web3 entertainment without relying on traditional sponsorships.

What impact has the UpOnly NFT news had on memecoins?

The announcement sparked massive volatility in memecoins tied to UpOnly and Cobie, with the Base network’s UPONLY token surging 7,900% before a sharp correction, and COBIE token jumping 5,800%, as tracked by DEXscreener data. A Solana-based UPONLY variant rose 250%, reflecting speculative hype in the crypto community. Investors like Rune Kleveland have called for pushing these tokens to new highs, emphasizing the symbiotic link between news events and memecoin markets.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic NFT Use: Coinbase’s purchase demonstrates how NFTs can evolve beyond art into tools for media control and revival, potentially setting precedents for future crypto content deals.
• Market Sentiment Boost: The deal has ignited memecoin frenzies on Base and Solana, with gains exceeding 7,000% in hours, underscoring the rapid influence of news on decentralized trading.
• Podcast Renaissance: Reviving UpOnly could reignite educational yet fun crypto discourse; tune in for upcoming episodes to catch insights from industry leaders.

Conclusion

This landmark $25 million NFT acquisition by Coinbase not only revives the UpOnly podcast but also highlights the enduring value of crypto media in engaging communities during bull market recoveries. With onchain confirmations from sources like Arkham Intelligence and quotes from figures such as Brian Armstrong and Cobie, the transaction exemplifies innovative uses of blockchain for content ownership. As NFT markets stabilize and memecoins react dynamically, expect more such intersections between finance and entertainment—published October 2025 by COINOTAG. Stay informed on evolving crypto trends to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong’s confirmation adds credibility, while Cobie’s humorous response on X—joking about renaming it “Unc Only” due to his aging—infuses levity into the professional move. The podcast, self-described as prioritizing entertainment over deep alpha but delivering neither consistently, promises a balanced return. In the broader context, this event ties into NFT market resilience, as volumes have climbed steadily since early 2025 recoveries. Crypto analysts from firms like Messari predict such high-value NFT deals could accelerate Web3 adoption by bridging traditional media with decentralized tech. The memecoin pumps, though volatile, illustrate the ecosystem’s responsiveness; for instance, Base network activity spiked 20% post-announcement per Dune Analytics dashboards. Overall, this positions Coinbase as a forward-thinking player, investing in cultural assets that foster long-term user loyalty in the competitive crypto exchange landscape. With UpOnly’s history of spotlighting figures from developers to venture capitalists, its relaunch could provide timely insights amid regulatory shifts and technological advancements like layer-2 scaling solutions. COINOTAG will continue monitoring developments, ensuring readers receive fact-based updates on these pivotal moments in crypto’s maturation.