Important Highlights
- Czech National Bank buys Coinbase shares worth over $18 million, marking its first step into crypto.
- Palantir stake increases to nearly 520,000 shares, riding the AI boom.
- Coinbase expands its crypto offerings with Deribit and Liquifi acquisitions.
Big Bets on Crypto and AI
The Czech National Bank (CNB) recently took a risky step that shows increasing optimism about the future of cutting-edge technology and cryptocurrency.
In its latest U.S. investment filing for Q2 2025, the CNB revealed two big updates:
it bought shares in Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, and increased its position in Palantir, the AI and data analytics firm.
While central banks usually play it safe, this shows that even the most traditional institutions are starting to recognize the staying power of digital assets and emerging technologies.
Coinbase Joins the S&P 500 and Portfolio
In a significant move, the Czech National Bank has acquired 51,732 shares of Coinbase, which are worth more than $18 million. This is the bank’s first move into the crypto sector and it’s a strong one.
Why now? Well, Coinbase recently made history by becoming the first crypto company to join the S&P 500.
That alone is a huge signal that crypto is no longer a fringe market. The company’s stock is up 41% in the first half of 2025, with another 10% gain in the weeks following its S&P listing.
And get this—over the past month, Coinbase shares have surged nearly 60%.
Still, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing.
Coinbase’s Financials: A Mixed Bag
Despite the rising stock price, Coinbase’s recent financial results were a bit of a rollercoaster.
In Q1, revenue dipped 10% to $2 billion, and net income plunged 95%, landing at just $66 million.
That huge drop was mainly due to a $596 million paper loss on its crypto holdings.
Trading volumes also fell, which hurt transaction revenue. But here’s the twist despite those setbacks, Coinbase still beat analyst expectations with earnings per share of $1.94.
So while the crypto market has cooled off a bit, Coinbase is holding its ground better than expected.
More Than an Exchange: Coinbase Expands Its Crypto Reach
Coinbase isn’t just sitting back waiting for the market to bounce back.
It’s actively expanding its footprint in the cryptospace. The business revealed in May that it had acquired the cryptocurrency options trading platform Deribit for $2.9 billion.
Then it followed up by buying Liquifi, a startup focused on managing token projects.
With these tricks, the coinbase is pushing beyond basic trade and becoming a full-service hub for crypto products-from token to derivatives.
This makes it even more attractive to investors who want a stake in a broad crypto economy.
Palantir Investment: Doubling Down on Tech
Alongside the Coinbase buy, the Czech National Bank also upped its holdings in Palantir, adding 49,135 shares in Q2.
It now has just under 520,000 shares overall.
Palantir has been on fire this year its stock is up 80% in just six months, far outpacing the broader market.
The company is riding the wave of AI hype, and strong earnings have kept investors happy.
So if you’re wondering why the CNB is betting on this stock, the answer is pretty clear: AI is hot, and Palantir is at the center of it.
Why This Matters
What is the wider picture here, then?
The CNB is clearly shifting its strategy.
By investing in crypto via Coinbase and tech via Palantir, it’s stepping away from ultra-conservative assets and leaning into growth.
Sure, there are risks crypto is volatile, and AI is still evolving but the potential upside is too big to ignore.
We may be witnessing a significant institutional shift toward more innovative sectors if other central banks follow this example.
