The deal brings the Vector team and real-time token tools into Coinbase’s DEX system.
Coinbase, the largest U.S.-based centralized crypto exchange (CEX), announced on Friday it is acquiring Solana-based trading platform Vector to expand its on-chain trading capabilities.
The acquisition brings Vector’s team and token-tracking tools into Coinbase’s integrated DEX system, helping the exchange list new tokens faster and offer a wider range of assets.
As part of the deal, Vector’s existing mobile and desktop apps will be shut down. Meanwhile, the Tensor Foundation, which oversees NFT marketplace Tensor, and its token, will stay separate from Coinbase and continue operating independently, according to Coinbase’s blog post. Vector was originally created by the team behind Tensor as a SocialFi app for trading Solana memecoins.
TNSR — the native token of Tensor, as well as of Vector as of January — began a sharp, multi-stage rally several days ago, on Nov. 18, reaching as high as $0.29 yesterday, after trading between $0.03 and $0.11 for the past few months. The token is currently trading around $0.18 at press time.
Coinbase did not disclose the financial details of the deal, but said it expects the acquisition to close by the end of the year. On its website, Vector announced it is shutting down by Nov. 26, and requests that users close their positions, and export their private keys.
Solana Surge
The deal comes amid surging activity on Solana, where DEX volume has already surpassed $1 trillion in 2025, according to Messari data. Solana is currently the second-largest blockchain by total value locked in DeFi, with over $8.7 billion in DeFi TVL, according to DefiLlama.
Its native token, SOL, is currently trading at $125 – making it the seventh-largest digital asset with a market capitalization of over $70 billion, according to The Defiant’s price page.
Coinbase’s Acquisition Spree
The acquisition also follows a string of on-chain expansion moves by Coinbase this year, including its $375 million purchase of fundraising platform Echo in October. Coinbase also acquired token-creation platform Liquifi in July to help Coinbase Prime users track token ownership, unlock schedules, and ensure regulatory compliance, The Defiant previously reported.
The acquisitions are part of Coinbase’s broader push to create a single platform where users can trade, manage wallets, make payments, and access a wide range of crypto and tokenized assets.
Earlier this year, Coinbase rebranded its wallet app as Base, which now combines web3 wallet functions, trading, messaging, and mini apps. The company has also said it plans to support tokenized real-world assets, stocks, derivatives, and prediction markets.
This move reflects a growing trend among crypto and fintech companies, like X and Robinhood, to build “all-in-one” apps.
Coinbase went public on the Nasdaq in 2021 and was added to the S&P 500 in May; its stock, COIN, is currently trading at $241, up 3% on the day.
