CoinGecko, one of the cryptocurrency industry’s longest-running data aggregators, is reportedly exploring a sale that could value the firm at as much as $500 million. The move comes amid a significant consolidation phase in the digital asset sector, as established players seek desperately to bolster their institutional offerings.

The story first emerged on January 13 through a CoinDesk report stating that the Singapore-based company has retained investment bank Moelis to oversee the process. While discussions are said to be in the preliminary stages, having reportedly begun in late 2025, the $500 million price tag has sparked intense debate over the valuation of independent data providers in an increasingly crowded market.

CEO Bobby Ong Breaks Silence

Following two days of speculation, CoinGecko co-founder and CEO Bobby Ong addressed the reports on January 15 via X (formerly Twitter). While Ong did not explicitly confirm a pending sale, his comments suggest the company is open to just such a transition.

"Like any growing and profitable company, we regularly evaluate strategic opportunities to strengthen our business and accelerate our mission" 

Ong emphasized that the firm is currently operating from a "position of strength," citing rising demand from traditional financial institutions as a key driver for growth.

Ong’s reported choice of Moelis as an advisor is telling. Moelis is renowned for its work with high-profile traditional media and tech entities, including Netflix and Paramount Global. This suggests that if a sale proceeds, the buyer is more likely to be a Wall Street name or a major fintech player rather than a crypto-native firm.

Is $500 Million Feasible?

A $500 million valuation would set a new benchmark for crypto data platforms. For context, Binance acquired CoinGecko’s primary rival, CoinMarketCap, in 2020 for a reported $400 million. Since then, the market has matured, but it also faces new headwinds.

According to data from Bankless and Similarweb, CoinGecko’s monthly traffic dipped to 18.5 million in December 2025, down from 43.5 million the previous year. This trend is largely attributed to the rise of AI chatbots, which allow users to query price data without visiting a dedicated website like CoinGecko.

That said, proponents of the $500 million figure point to CoinGecko's institutional pivot. As noted by DLNews, M&A activity in the crypto sector reached record levels in 2025, totaling $8.6 billion across 133 disclosed deals. With firms like Stripe acquiring Bridge and Coinbase purchasing Deribit, the premium for ‘clean’, unbiased data has never been higher.

The Reality For Now...

For now, CoinGecko insists it is "business as usual." Ong reassured users that the platform's day-to-day operations remain unchanged, stating: 

"Nothing changes in how we work or deliver data you trust."

Whether a buyer meets the $500 million asking price will likely depend on how well CoinGecko can prove its value to enterprise clients beyond simple retail web traffic.

Sources

• Bobby Ong: Social Media Posts
• CoinDesk: Crypto data platform CoinGecko weighs sale for around $500 million, sources say
• DLNews: CoinGecko CEO nods to $500m sale reports amid crypto M&A bonanza

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