Coinbase Buys NFT, Podcast Returns… Probably

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Coinbase buys Cobie’s Up Only NFT for $25M in USDC, triggering a return of the podcast with eight new episodes. 🚀

 

Coinbase has officially purchased the “Up Only” NFT created by well-known crypto personality Cobie for $25 million in USDC. 🤯 This is the digital equivalent of buying a ticket to a show you’re not sure you’ll enjoy, but hey, it’s art.

The NFT includes a unique condition: if bought, Cobie and co-host Brian Krogsgard (Ledger) must produce eight new episodes of the previously dormant Up Only podcast. 🎙️ It’s like a blockchain-powered promise, but who trusts a contract written in code? 🧠

The purchase confirms Coinbase’s interest in expanding its role in crypto media and culture, while also activating a public agreement tied to blockchain ownership. Because nothing says “serious business” like a podcast that’s only back if you pay $25M. 💸

Coinbase Confirms NFT Purchase and Podcast Return

Blockchain records show that Coinbase transferred $25 million in USDC to Cobie, whose real name is Jordan Fish. This transaction fulfilled the public condition he made in May 2025: if someone bought the NFT, he would restart the podcast. 🤯 The fine print says “if you pay, we’ll talk.”

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong confirmed the transaction in a post on X, writing, “The rumors are true, we bought the NFT. Up Only TV is coming back.” 🎉 The only question is: will it be a comeback or a “we’re back, but also not really”? 🤔

The rumors are true, we bought the NFT. is coming back.

– Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong)

The podcast, popular during previous crypto market cycles, has been inactive since December 2022. Its last episode followed the collapse of FTX, one of its previous sponsors. The fine print of the NFT states that the purchase requires Cobie and Ledger to release eight new podcast episodes. But hey, they can ignore the buyer. 🤷‍♂️

However, the creators retained the right not to acknowledge the buyer in any way. Because nothing says “gratitude” like a podcast that’s funded by a $25M NFT but never mentions the buyer. 🤡

Cobie Responds After the $25 Million Deal

Following the transaction, Cobie reacted on social media with the message: “Ah man wtf.” 🤯 He also joked, “I’m too old to have a crypto podcast imma be out here looking like Gary V.” This is the digital equivalent of being handed a golden ticket and realizing you’re still stuck in the same old factory.

These statements reflect his surprise, as the NFT was originally priced high to avoid serious buyers. In an earlier post, he mentioned adding extra zeros on OpenSea because the platform did not allow custom pricing. 🧠 The NFT is now a $25M mystery, and Cobie’s reaction is the punchline.

Im too old to have a crypto podcast imma be out here looking like Gary V

– Cobie (@cobie)

In May, Cobie wrote, “The power is now stored within this NFT that I just minted.” He added that the podcast would only resume when the NFT is burned. However, the NFT’s terms indicate that ownership transfer, not burning, activates the eight-episode obligation. So, it’s a contract that’s more complicated than a Shakespearean play. 🎭

The new season will not be sponsored by the buyer and can proceed without direct involvement from Coinbase. Because nothing says “collaboration” like a podcast that’s funded by a company but doesn’t mention them. 🤝

NFT Fine Print and Onchain Execution

The Up Only NFT was structured with a smart contract that outlines the responsibilities of its creators upon purchase. 🧠 It’s like a legal document, but written in code and signed by a blockchain. Who needs lawyers when you’ve got a computer?

The document specifies that Cobie and Ledger must produce an eight-episode season. It also includes a clause allowing them to ignore the buyer and make no mention of the transaction during the show. Because nothing says “transparency” like a podcast that’s paid for by a $25M NFT but never acknowledges it. 🤡

The NFT is now under Coinbase’s control, and with the transaction complete, the public will likely see a return of the podcast. The move adds a new layer to how NFTs are being used beyond digital art, this time as a contract for content creation, enforced through onchain ownership. 🧠💸

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2025-10-21 15:12