Coinbase CEO: Crypto Firms Should Not Dump Blockchain for AI Hype

Why Switching From Crypto to AI Is a Bad Idea

Coinbase chief Brian Armstrong has spoken out against crypto companies that are dropping their focus on blockchain to chase artificial intelligence instead. He believes this kind of move comes from a narrow way of thinking that sees only one winner at a time.

Seeing Crypto as Basic Infrastructure

Armstrong explains that crypto works like electricity or the internet. These are not trends that fade when something new appears. They form the base that lets other technologies grow. In his view, crypto and AI can work together rather than fight for attention. It is an and situation, not an or choice.

How AI Agents Will Need Crypto

AI tools are growing fast and will soon handle many daily tasks. These AI agents will buy services, trade assets, and manage money on their own. They cannot open normal bank accounts or wait days for transfers. They need fast, programmable money that works across borders without limits. That is exactly what crypto offers.

Armstrong points out that these agents will move more money each day than all people combined. They will hold funds, pay bills, rebalance investments, and even raise money for new projects. Traditional finance cannot keep up with that speed and flexibility.

Coinbase and the x402 Payment System

Coinbase is already building tools for this future. One example is the x402 protocol. It turns an old web code into a simple way for machines to pay each other. This lets AI agents buy data, use software, or access services in real time. The system makes every request a possible payment without extra steps.

Business teams are starting to see how this changes things. Instead of people sending invoices, AI can handle payments for API calls or data use right away. This opens new ways for companies to work with machine partners.

Looking Ahead at Crypto and AI Together

Armstrong says the rise of AI actually makes crypto more important. As agents take on more work, they will need reliable money systems that run 24 hours a day. Crypto is ready for that role. Companies that stay focused on blockchain will be in a strong spot to support the next wave of AI growth.

The message is clear. Crypto is not going away because of AI. It is the foundation that will let AI agents act on their own in the financial world.