CoinGecko, one of the world’s most respected cryptocurrency data aggregators, is currently exploring a potential sale that could value the platform at approximately $500 million. This major transaction, if completed, would mark a decisive turning point in the blockchain data infrastructure landscape.
A Sale Process Supervised by Moelis & Company
According to multiple sources close to the matter, CoinGecko has mandated the prestigious investment bank Moelis & Company to oversee this sale process initiated in late 2025. Moelis, globally recognized for its expertise in mergers and acquisitions and strategic advisory, is supporting this transaction amid intense consolidation in the crypto sector.
While the target valuation is estimated at around $500 million, sources indicate that the final amount remains to be confirmed. CoinGecko has not issued any official comment on these discussions so far and continues to operate normally.
An 11-Year Malaysian Success Story
Founded on April 8, 2014, by Malaysian entrepreneurs TM Lee (CEO) and Bobby Ong (COO), CoinGecko has established itself as an essential reference in the crypto ecosystem. Unlike many startups of that era, the founders adopted a conservative approach by refusing for several years to raise funds from venture capitalists.
This prudent strategy enabled them to weather the difficult « crypto winters » of 2015-2016 and 2018-2019, periods during which many competitors who had raised massive funding had to close their doors. This resilience testifies to the robustness of the platform’s business model.
Impressive Numbers
Today, CoinGecko displays statistics that reflect its dominant position:
- Over 17,000 cryptocurrencies tracked
- More than 1,000 exchange platforms monitored
- Presence in over 170 countries
- Between 23 and 30 million monthly visits
A Diversified and Profitable Business Model
CoinGecko’s strength lies in the diversification of its revenue sources, which include:
Advertising and Sponsored Content: Blockchain projects and exchanges pay to increase their visibility on the platform, representing a significant portion of revenues.
Premium API Services: API subscriptions for institutional investors, hedge funds, and enterprises range from $129 to $999 monthly. In 2022, this segment represented 23.5% of annual revenues.
Affiliate Marketing: Commissions generated through referral links to partner exchanges contribute 17% to overall revenues.
Data Licensing: CoinGecko also commercializes access to its data to companies and specialized media.
This diversification has allowed CoinGecko to maintain profitability while preserving its independence, unlike its main competitor CoinMarketCap, which was acquired by Binance in 2020 for approximately $400 million.
An Unprecedented Wave of Consolidation
This potential acquisition is part of an exceptional consolidation dynamic in the crypto sector. In 2025, the crypto mergers and acquisitions market reached a historic record of $8.6 billion distributed across 267 transactions, representing an increase of nearly 300% compared to the $2.17 billion in 2024.
Several factors explain this explosion:
- Increased regulatory clarity in the United States under the Trump administration
- Dismissal of legal proceedings against certain crypto companies
- Implementation of more favorable regulatory frameworks, notably the GENIUS Act for stablecoins
- Increased liquidity and maturation of crypto markets
- Growing interest from traditional finance players
Among the major transactions of 2025 are Coinbase’s acquisition of Deribit for $2.9 billion, Kraken’s purchase of NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion, and Ripple’s acquisition of Hidden Road for $1.25 billion.
Strategic Stakes of an Acquisition
Although no potential acquirer has been publicly identified, several types of players could be interested:
Crypto Exchange Platforms: Following Binance’s model with CoinMarketCap, an exchange could seek privileged access to competitors’ data and benefit from a major traffic generation channel.
Traditional Finance Players: Banks and financial institutions seeking to strengthen their crypto presence could see CoinGecko as key infrastructure for their services.
Data and Analytics Companies: Groups specializing in financial data might want to integrate CoinGecko into their product portfolio.
Investment Funds and Private Equity: Funds specializing in tech and blockchain could view CoinGecko as a strategic asset generating recurring revenues.
The Crucial Question of Independence
A sale of CoinGecko nevertheless raises important questions for the crypto ecosystem. The platform has built a reputation as an independent and impartial aggregator, a major asset in a sector where neutrality is highly valued.
CoinMarketCap’s acquisition by Binance in 2020 sparked debates about potential conflicts of interest and data independence. Many users then turned to CoinGecko, precisely because of its independent status.
An acquisition by an exchange platform or a player with direct interests in the sector could compromise this perception and trigger user migration to other alternatives.
The future involvement of TM Lee and Bobby Ong, pillars of CoinGecko since its creation, would also be a determining factor for continuity and trust in the platform.
Conclusion: A Transaction That Could Redefine the Crypto Landscape
This potential transaction illustrates the growing maturity of the crypto sector and the strategic value attributed to data infrastructures. Platforms like CoinGecko have become essential utilities of the ecosystem, consulted daily by millions of investors, traders, and developers worldwide.
With the projected increase in M&A activity in 2026, driven by increased regulatory clarity and the continued entry of institutional players, other major transactions could follow in the coming months.
The outcome of this sale process, if successful, will mark a significant milestone in the history of one of the most influential and respected crypto platforms in the sector. For now, CoinGecko continues to operate normally, and only the future will tell whether this independence, so precious in the eyes of millions of users, will be preserved.
