Friday, June 26, 2026

Kevin Durant Scores Big on Coinbase

  • Coinbase’s direct public listing is great news for Kevin Durant, who was an early-stage investor.
  • Durant’s Thirty Five Ventures has a range of tech company and sports-related investments.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

On Tuesday, Kevin Durant scored 31 points on the Timberwolves, his best performance in two-and-a-half months. On Wednesday, he notched an even bigger win when Coinbase went public.

The crypto exchange market, known for providing an easy on-ramp for casual investors to buy bitcoin and other blockchain-based coins, went public via a direct listing.

The crypto exchange market, known for providing an easy on-ramp for casual investors to buy bitcoin and other blockchain-based coins, went public via a direct listing.  Coinbase shares closed at $328.28 today, valuing the company at $86 billion.

That’s good news for KD, who bought into the investment platform through his and Rich Kleinman’s Thirty Five Ventures when it was valued at $1.6 billion. The rapper Nas’ venture fund invested in the Series B round, when Coinbase was valued at around $143 million.

Durant is an active investor, particularly in tech companies. 

  • He was also an early-stage investor in Postmates, Acorns, Sandbox VR, and shared bike and scooter company Lime. 
  • Durant has also bought into a number of sports and fitness companies, including Dapper Labs, maker of NBA Top Shot, Goldin Auctions, drink company WTRMLN WTR, and athlete recovery tech company Therabody.

Serena Williams’ Serena Ventures appears to have also been an investor, but pulled Coinbase from its publicly listed portfolio companies after Coinbase’s CEO came out against employee political activism.

Coinbase reported last week that its Q1 revenue was up 847% year-over-year to around $1.8 billion, and that it has 56 million users.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Tracy McGrady on Buying ABCD Camp, Investing in the Bills & More.

0:00

Featured Today

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Laila Edwards, left, and defender Caroline Harvey celebrate after Edwards scored against the Minnesota Gophers in the first period in a game Saturday, February 8, 2025, at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.
June 15, 2026

Two Rookies Are Rewriting Women’s Hockey Stardom

Their platforms are a mutual boon for the PWHL and its players.
Ai sports slop
June 5, 2026

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann
June 4, 2026

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.

Tracy McGrady Buying 80% of ABCD as He Revives Legendary Camp

McGrady is bringing back a piece of basketball history.
June 23, 2026

Giannis Antetokounmpo Finally Traded to Miami

The Heat and Bucks struck a deal late Monday night.
June 23, 2026

Greg Olsen: NFL Franchises Interested in Hosting Tight End U

The annual summer summit is in its sixth year.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Is Reshaping the Modern MLB Ballpark Experience

The technology powering baseball’s next chapter.
Apr 18, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (5) checks Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center.
June 22, 2026

Tkachuk Is Latest Star Player on Canadian Team to Move South

The former Senators captain will now play with his older brother.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Is Reshaping the Modern MLB Ballpark Experience

The technology powering baseball’s next chapter.
Landon Donovan discusses the state of youth soccer with Front Office Sports.
June 18, 2026

Landon Donovan Sounds Alarm on Youth Soccer Culture

Donovan believes an early emphasis on winning has harmed youth soccer.
June 16, 2026

MLB Warns Giants Pitchers Over Writing on Pride Caps

The Giants celebrated Pride Night on Friday.