Coinbase CEO’s Hilarious Take on Wall Street’s Crypto Blunders

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  • Brian Armstrong cheerfully declares that half of banks are now crypto fans, while the others are still stuck in the past like a broken record.
  • Coinbase has doubled its trading market share and tripled its assets faster than you can say “blockchain,” diversifying revenue streams like a pro!
  • Regulatory clarity and some snazzy institutional hiring mean crypto is finally moving from the “theory” section to the “practice” aisle-welcome to reality!

So, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong recently found himself in the hot seat during an AMA session, tackling that age-old question: why does Wall Street keep misunderstanding his beloved Coinbase? You’d think they’d have figured it out by now, right?

Armstrong didn’t hold back, taking to social media like a true modern-day oracle to offer his dazzling insights. And guess what? His thoughts have sparked a fresh conversation in the crypto universe-cue the fanfare!

Armstrong’s Classic Dilemma: Innovator Edition

Armstrong pointed out a pattern as familiar as my morning coffee ritual. He claims Coinbase is misunderstood, but oh-so-simple; industries that face disruption rarely send flowers to their disruptors. He likened crypto skeptics on Wall Street to those poor cab companies that just couldn’t see Uber coming. “You wouldn’t ask horse and buggy makers about cars,” he quipped. Ouch!

According to him, the smartest traditional finance firms are already making moves. Five of the GSIB (Global Systemically Important Banks) have decided to buddy up with Coinbase. Around 50% of major financial institutions are all aboard the crypto train, while the other half… well, let’s just say they’re trying to catch up.

“Why is Coinbase always misunderstood or under-appreciated by Wall Street?” – I got asked this today in our AMA with analysts, and it’s an interesting question. Sharing my answer here.

I do think Coinbase is a bit of a misunderstood company. It’s a classic innovator’s dilemma.…

– Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong)

Coinbase’s Numbers are Spilling Tea

Armstrong backed his claims with some juicy data from Coinbase’s Q4 and full-year earnings. Total trading volume skyrocketed by 156% year over year-now that’s what I call a glow-up!

The platform’s crypto trading market share has doubled in 2025. Assets, you ask? They’ve multiplied three times faster than my laundry pile at home. Armstrong insists these numbers deserve a standing ovation, even if the headlines don’t always give them their due.

He also pointed out a reporting faux pas that may have misled some investors. Coinbase’s GAAP net income includes unrealized gains and losses on crypto holdings-classic case of “what you see isn’t what you get.” Armstrong suggests we take a gander at adjusted net income instead-spoiler alert: they were profitable last quarter, even amidst market chaos!

12 Products Now Pulling in $100M Revenue-No Pressure!

One detail Armstrong was eager to share was the sheer scale of Coinbase’s product lineup. They now boast 12 products raking in over $100 million each annually. Talk about a diversified portfolio! USDC and Coinbase One hit new heights, proving that they’ve moved beyond just trading fees. Go team!

This shift makes the business much more resilient, sort of like my love for chocolate during tough times.

Armstrong’s No-Nonsense Advice for Investors

Armstrong’s advice to investors? Focus on what a company promises and whether it actually delivers. You heard it here first, folks! Coinbase has been flexing strong numbers for three years straight, and regulatory clarity is looking brighter than my future after a spa day.

Closing his thoughts, Armstrong declared no company is better poised than Coinbase to ride the wave of the financial system’s transformation. He still sees it as an underestimated gem waiting to be discovered. In his view, the consensus just hasn’t caught up yet, leaving a golden opportunity for early investors. So, who’s ready to dive in?

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2026-02-18 13:55