I'm not 100% sure. I actually tried to do some research on that a few months ago and couldn't find anything definitive one way or the other (I haven't looked since then).

When I did look, I found some press releases about them partnering, but it was light on details. Based on the name and the fact that their logos now match (they didn't used to), my guess is that they aren't two separate companies.

Or a hell of a clever ruse to cause exactly this confusion by consumers to think it’s more legit than it is. All of this is buyer beware outside of CoinBase. Why? CoinBase and regulators are best buddies. Hard to be dodgy with Big Brother peering into your customer data via IRS subpoenas.