The post Coinbase CEO confirms purchase of $25M ‘UpOnly’ NFT from Cobie appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Coinbase paid $25M in USDC for Cobie’s UpOnly NFT. The deal revives the UpOnly podcast for eight new episodes. Cobie joked about returning, calling the sale “too absurd to happen.” Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has confirmed the $25 million purchase of the “UpOnly” NFT from renowned trader and podcaster Jordan “Cobie” Fish. The purchase not only marks a major foray by Coinbase into NFT-driven media but also sets the stage for the long-awaited revival of the UpOnly podcast after a three-year hiatus. Armstrong announced the acquisition in a post on X, writing, “The rumours are true, we bought the NFT. UpOnlyTV is coming back.” The transaction, recorded on-chain, shows Coinbase paying 25 million USDC to Cobie for the token — a sum that astonished many in the crypto community given the NFT’s tongue-in-cheek origins. The $25 million NFT The UpOnly NFT was never meant to sell. When Cobie minted it in May 2025, he framed it as part of a humorous challenge, declaring that the show would only return if someone bought and burned the NFT. “The power is now stored within this NFT,” Cobie wrote at the time. “When it’s burned, the podcast will restart.” To make sure no one actually purchased it, Cobie set an absurdly high price, adding zero after zero until it looked impossible to buy — even as a joke. However, Coinbase not only bought the NFT but reportedly paid more than its listed price. In doing so, the exchange inadvertently activated the “burn-to-revive” condition, forcing Cobie and his co-host Ledger to return to the microphones for eight new episodes of UpOnlyTV. From a joke to $25 million reality The NFT’s description, written in Cobie’s trademark humour, grants its holder the right to “compel Cobie and Ledger Status into performing, like monkeys, 8 episodes of… The post Coinbase CEO confirms purchase of $25M ‘UpOnly’ NFT from Cobie appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Coinbase paid $25M in USDC for Cobie’s UpOnly NFT. The deal revives the UpOnly podcast for eight new episodes. Cobie joked about returning, calling the sale “too absurd to happen.” Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has confirmed the $25 million purchase of the “UpOnly” NFT from renowned trader and podcaster Jordan “Cobie” Fish. The purchase not only marks a major foray by Coinbase into NFT-driven media but also sets the stage for the long-awaited revival of the UpOnly podcast after a three-year hiatus. Armstrong announced the acquisition in a post on X, writing, “The rumours are true, we bought the NFT. UpOnlyTV is coming back.” The transaction, recorded on-chain, shows Coinbase paying 25 million USDC to Cobie for the token — a sum that astonished many in the crypto community given the NFT’s tongue-in-cheek origins. The $25 million NFT The UpOnly NFT was never meant to sell. When Cobie minted it in May 2025, he framed it as part of a humorous challenge, declaring that the show would only return if someone bought and burned the NFT. “The power is now stored within this NFT,” Cobie wrote at the time. “When it’s burned, the podcast will restart.” To make sure no one actually purchased it, Cobie set an absurdly high price, adding zero after zero until it looked impossible to buy — even as a joke. However, Coinbase not only bought the NFT but reportedly paid more than its listed price. In doing so, the exchange inadvertently activated the “burn-to-revive” condition, forcing Cobie and his co-host Ledger to return to the microphones for eight new episodes of UpOnlyTV. From a joke to $25 million reality The NFT’s description, written in Cobie’s trademark humour, grants its holder the right to “compel Cobie and Ledger Status into performing, like monkeys, 8 episodes of…

Coinbase CEO confirms purchase of $25M ‘UpOnly’ NFT from Cobie

2025/10/21 19:33
  • Coinbase paid $25M in USDC for Cobie’s UpOnly NFT.
  • The deal revives the UpOnly podcast for eight new episodes.
  • Cobie joked about returning, calling the sale “too absurd to happen.”

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has confirmed the $25 million purchase of the “UpOnly” NFT from renowned trader and podcaster Jordan “Cobie” Fish.

The purchase not only marks a major foray by Coinbase into NFT-driven media but also sets the stage for the long-awaited revival of the UpOnly podcast after a three-year hiatus.

Armstrong announced the acquisition in a post on X, writing, “The rumours are true, we bought the NFT. UpOnlyTV is coming back.”

The transaction, recorded on-chain, shows Coinbase paying 25 million USDC to Cobie for the token — a sum that astonished many in the crypto community given the NFT’s tongue-in-cheek origins.

The $25 million NFT

The UpOnly NFT was never meant to sell. When Cobie minted it in May 2025, he framed it as part of a humorous challenge, declaring that the show would only return if someone bought and burned the NFT.

“The power is now stored within this NFT,” Cobie wrote at the time. “When it’s burned, the podcast will restart.”

To make sure no one actually purchased it, Cobie set an absurdly high price, adding zero after zero until it looked impossible to buy — even as a joke.

However, Coinbase not only bought the NFT but reportedly paid more than its listed price.

In doing so, the exchange inadvertently activated the “burn-to-revive” condition, forcing Cobie and his co-host Ledger to return to the microphones for eight new episodes of UpOnlyTV.

From a joke to $25 million reality

The NFT’s description, written in Cobie’s trademark humour, grants its holder the right to “compel Cobie and Ledger Status into performing, like monkeys, 8 episodes of UpOnlyTV.”

It even allows them to “call the buyer idiots” or ignore them completely during production.

What began as a parody of NFT culture has now become a high-value contract tied to one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world.

For Coinbase, the deal signals more than a meme purchase.

The company has framed the acquisition as part of its growing content and media strategy — an effort to engage audiences beyond trading and exchange services.

By tying the revival of a well-loved podcast to blockchain technology, Coinbase is experimenting with how NFTs can blend digital ownership, creator incentives, and entertainment.

The rise, fall, and return of UpOnly

UpOnly first launched during the 2021 bull market, hosted by Cobie and Ledger.

The podcast became a fixture of crypto culture for its honest conversations with traders, fund managers, and project founders.

Guests often discussed market trends with a mix of sharp insight and irreverent humour, helping the show stand out in an increasingly noisy media landscape.

However, the show went silent in 2022, following the collapse of FTX and the broader crypto downturn.

For three years, fans wondered if UpOnly would ever return. Cobie repeatedly said no until the playful NFT idea changed everything.

Now, with Coinbase’s purchase, the show’s comeback is officially underway.

According to the NFT terms, Cobie and Ledger will produce an eight-episode season beginning on October 21, 2025 — nearly three years to the day after the podcast went dark.

In true Cobie fashion, the trader responded to the $25 million windfall with dry humour. “It’s been three years since UpOnly ended,” he wrote on X.

“I was in my 20s when it started, now I have grey hair.” He joked that he might rename the show “Unc Only” and spend the NFT proceeds on cosmetic surgery before the first episode.

Behind the jokes, though, lies one of the most unusual media transactions in crypto history — a deal that transformed a meme into a multimillion-dollar media contract.

Source: https://coinjournal.net/news/coinbase-ceo-confirms-purchase-of-25m-uponly-nft-from-cobie/

Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact [email protected] for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.
Share Insights

You May Also Like

BetFury is at SBC Summit Lisbon 2025: Affiliate Growth in Focus

BetFury is at SBC Summit Lisbon 2025: Affiliate Growth in Focus

The post BetFury is at SBC Summit Lisbon 2025: Affiliate Growth in Focus appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Press Releases are sponsored content and not a part of Finbold’s editorial content. For a full disclaimer, please . Crypto assets/products can be highly risky. Never invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. Curacao, Curacao, September 17th, 2025, Chainwire BetFury steps onto the stage of SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 — one of the key gatherings in the iGaming calendar. From 16 to 18 September, the platform showcases its brand strength, deepens affiliate connections, and outlines its plans for global expansion. BetFury continues to play a role in the evolving crypto and iGaming partnership landscape. BetFury’s Participation at SBC Summit The SBC Summit gathers over 25,000 delegates, including 6,000+ affiliates — the largest concentration of affiliate professionals in iGaming. For BetFury, this isn’t just visibility, it’s a strategic chance to present its Affiliate Program to the right audience. Face-to-face meetings, dedicated networking zones, and affiliate-focused sessions make Lisbon the ideal ground to build new partnerships and strengthen existing ones. BetFury Meets Affiliate Leaders at its Massive Stand BetFury arrives at the summit with a massive stand placed right in the center of the Affiliate zone. Designed as a true meeting hub, the stand combines large LED screens, a sleek interior, and the best coffee at the event — but its core mission goes far beyond style. Here, BetFury’s team welcomes partners and affiliates to discuss tailored collaborations, explore growth opportunities across multiple GEOs, and expand its global Affiliate Program. To make the experience even more engaging, the stand also hosts: Affiliate Lottery — a branded drum filled with exclusive offers and personalized deals for affiliates. Merch Kits — premium giveaways to boost brand recognition and leave visitors with a lasting conference memory. Besides, at SBC Summit Lisbon, attendees have a chance to meet the BetFury team along…
Share
2025/09/18 01:20