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Coinbase has reportedly paid $25 million in USDC to crypto influencer Cobie for the “UpOnly Television Season Pass” NFT, granting the company the right to compel Cobie and his co-host Ledger to produce eight new episodes of their once-popular crypto podcast, UpOnly.
The move represents a major turn in their history Cobie had previously exposed insider trading at Coinbase in 2022, a scandal that resulted in a conviction. Interestingly, the NFT’s smart contract gives the hosts full creative freedom, allowing them to ignore or even criticize Coinbase despite the sale.
UpOnly was one of crypto’s biggest podcasts before ending after the FTX collapse in 2022, an event that caused Cobie personal financial losses and eroded trust in crypto media, much of which had relied on FTX sponsorships.
This acquisition signals Coinbase’s broader strategy to reinvest in authentic, community-trusted content and promote on-chain business models. The company appears to be betting that credibility and independence carry more influence in the next bull market than corporate control of narratives.
Reactions in the crypto space are mixed some welcome the return of UpOnly as a cultural revival, while others question Coinbase’s intentions and the staggering valuation of a podcast NFT. Whether this experiment reshapes content ownership and independence in Web3 remains an open question.
The move represents a major turn in their history Cobie had previously exposed insider trading at Coinbase in 2022, a scandal that resulted in a conviction. Interestingly, the NFT’s smart contract gives the hosts full creative freedom, allowing them to ignore or even criticize Coinbase despite the sale.
UpOnly was one of crypto’s biggest podcasts before ending after the FTX collapse in 2022, an event that caused Cobie personal financial losses and eroded trust in crypto media, much of which had relied on FTX sponsorships.
This acquisition signals Coinbase’s broader strategy to reinvest in authentic, community-trusted content and promote on-chain business models. The company appears to be betting that credibility and independence carry more influence in the next bull market than corporate control of narratives.
Reactions in the crypto space are mixed some welcome the return of UpOnly as a cultural revival, while others question Coinbase’s intentions and the staggering valuation of a podcast NFT. Whether this experiment reshapes content ownership and independence in Web3 remains an open question.
Disclaimer: Includes third-party opinions. No financial advice. May include sponsored content. See T&Cs.
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