AllianceDAO co-founder QwQiao has highlighted Coinbase's strategic shift from a traditional crypto exchange to a more integrated 'bank-like' model. As a Coinbase One user and holder of a Coinbase-branded Amex card, QwQiao noted that the platform's approach includes a membership fee and a $200,000 asset lock-in, offering users 4% Bitcoin cashback and trading fee discounts. This model, akin to Amazon Prime or Costco's premium memberships, aims to enhance customer loyalty. QwQiao suggests that this strategy could evolve to include stock trading and other financial products, positioning Coinbase as a financial platform with stronger user relationships.