TL;DR
- Strategic Review: CoinGecko CEO Bobby Ong confirmed the company is exploring strategic opportunities after reports of a possible $500 million sale, noting profitability and rising institutional interest.
- Institutional Positioning: Sources said Moelis is advising on the process, signaling a focus on Wall Street buyers as Ong emphasized evaluating options that support CoinGecko’s mission and institutional crypto adoption.
- Market Momentum: A surge in crypto sector dealmaking, including Polygon Labs’ $250 million acquisition plans and Fireblocks’ $130 million purchase of TRES Finance, reinforces expectations that CoinGecko’s valuation aligns with broader industry trends.
CoinGecko CEO Bobby Ong publicly addressed growing speculation on Thursday after reports indicated the crypto data firm is evaluating acquisition offers near $500 million. Ong confirmed that the company is exploring strategic opportunities, noting that CoinGecko remains profitable and is seeing increased institutional attention as traditional finance deepens its involvement in digital assets.
We’ve had a lot of questions following recent media reports, and we’re honored by the interest.@tmlee and I have been running CoinGecko for nearly 12 years, and like any growing and profitable company, we regularly evaluate strategic opportunities to strengthen our business and…
— Bobby Ong (@bobbyong) January 15, 2026
Ong Confirms Strategic Discussions Amid Rising Interest
Ong stated on LinkedIn that after nearly 12 years of building CoinGecko as a self-funded venture, questions about the company’s future have become more frequent. Media reports citing individuals familiar with the matter revealed that CoinGecko is considering a potential sale valued at roughly $500 million. Sources added that the firm hired Moelis to advise on the process, though one insider cautioned that negotiations only began in late 2024, making any valuation preliminary.
Wall Street Advisory Signals Institutional Targeting
Moelis, a major Wall Street investment bank with more than $5 trillion in completed transactions, is guiding the discussions. Ong later acknowledged on X that he had received numerous inquiries following the reports and reiterated that CoinGecko regularly evaluates opportunities to strengthen its mission. His comments suggest the company is positioning itself toward institutional buyers rather than venture capital firms, reflecting a broader shift as traditional finance accelerates its adoption of crypto data services.
Industry Precedents Reinforce Valuation Expectations
Observers note that a $500 million valuation aligns with rising demand for high-quality crypto market intelligence. CoinMarketCap’s $400 million acquisition by Binance in 2020 remains a key benchmark, though Binance emphasized that the platform continued operating independently. Broader comparisons highlight the value of financial data businesses, with Bloomberg L.P. estimated at over $120 billion and generating more than $13 billion in annual revenue as of early 2025.
Crypto M&A Momentum Builds Into 2026
The crypto sector saw record dealmaking in 2025, reaching $8.6 billion as regulatory conditions improved in the United States. The Financial Times reported 267 completed deals, an 18% rise from 2024, with total value nearly 300% higher than the prior year’s $2.17 billion. Early 2026 activity remains strong, including Polygon Labs’ plans to acquire Coinme and Sequence for over $250 million, Fireblocks’ $130 million purchase of TRES Finance, and Bakkt’s agreement to acquire DTR through an all-equity transaction.
