Former Goldman Sachs partner Liz Martin joins Coinbase

In practical terms, this is a bet on an exchange that houses spot derivatives, new-asset listings, and institutional liquidity under one roof. In 2025, Coinbase is actively reclaiming ground that offshore venues used to dominate while at the same time expanding regulated products. That’s why the company chose an executive with deep market‑infrastructure expertise. The company’s footprint and reserves continue to grow, reinforcing that strategy.

Who is Liz Martin? She spent roughly 25 years at Goldman Sachs. Martin started as an equity‑derivatives trader, rose to partner, led electronic trading and execution in Europe, later moved to New York, and became Chief Operating Officer for engineering within the firm’s global banking and markets division. That mix of roles means she understands how large markets operate, how liquidity is built, what institutional clients need, and how complex trading platforms are engineered.

Why this matters for Coinbase. The “everything exchange” play isn’t a slogan; it’s an effort to bring Wall Street‑grade standards to crypto: transparent clearing, robust risk management, and products professionals recognize. Coinbase already has a growing derivatives arm and a strong U.S. presence, but the next leg requires steady work on public and private listings, regional licenses, and partnerships with market makers. Martin’s arrival should help accelerate that roadmap. As policy debates continue, Coinbase is also investing in governance and rulemaking engagement, a prerequisite for scale in regulated markets.

Bottom line: Coinbase is reinforcing the leadership behind derivatives and liquidity, and Liz Martin brings the large‑exchange muscle memory needed for an “exchange of everything.”