Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong charts bold course to make crypto the future of global finance

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is doubling down on a transformative vision for the future of finance.  Armstrong declared this week that the exchange’s long-term goal is to become the world’s leading financial services application, powered entirely by crypto innovation.

Speaking with conviction in an interview with CNBC, the Coinbase CEO said the platform is “skating to where the puck is going,” not where it’s been, as digital assets continue to consume legacy finance at a rapid pace. His forecast? A complete overhaul of the financial sector, with Coinbase leading the charge.

Crypto to conquer traditional finance

According to Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, the writing is on the blockchain wall: “In five to ten years, our goal is to be the number one financial services app in the world,” he said.

“We believe that crypto is eating financial services, and we are the number one crypto company.”

Armstrong’s confidence is rooted in a growing trend—traditional asset classes like real estate, bonds, and equities are increasingly moving on-chain. This means more transparency, faster settlements, and reduced costs for consumers and institutions alike.

“Money market funds, debt instruments, and even real estate are all slowly being tokenized,” Armstrong noted during the company’s Q1 earnings call. “Coinbase is positioning itself to be the bridge between the old system and the new.”

No looking back: Armstrong eyes the future

When asked if Coinbase would venture into traditional finance to stay competitive, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong rejected the idea outright.

“There’s no looking back,” Armstrong stated. “We’re skating forward—towards a decentralized, blockchain-based future where efficiency and inclusion win.”

This forward-only mindset was echoed by crypto investor and ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood, who praised Armstrong’s vision. “Brian understands that regulation and innovation don’t have to be at odds,” Wood said in an April interview with Bloomberg.

“He’s one of the few leaders in crypto actively building while others wait.”

As blockchain-based payments evolve, stablecoins are becoming a pillar of this transformation. And Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has placed a massive bet on the future of USDC, the dollar-backed stablecoin co-launched by Coinbase and Circle.

“Our stretch goal is to make USDC the world’s number one stablecoin,” Armstrong told analysts.

With over $32 billion in circulation and integration into leading DeFi platforms, USDC is quickly becoming the cornerstone of crypto payments and remittances.

Armstrong’s stablecoin ambitions go far beyond hype. He sees it as the future of programmable money—instant, borderless, and accessible.

A regulated path forward for Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong

Despite regulatory headwinds, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong seems unwavering in his belief that collaboration, not confrontation, is the future.

“We’re committed to working with lawmakers, not around them,” Armstrong stated. “Crypto needs a clear framework, and we’re ready to help build it.”

In recent months, Coinbase has actively lobbied for policy changes in Washington, emphasizing the importance of fostering innovation while protecting consumers.

The company’s “Stand With Crypto” initiative, launched last year, has gained traction among policymakers.

“Brian has always been clear: Coinbase wants to be the most trusted platform in crypto,” said Sheila Warren, CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation. “His approach of transparency and collaboration is exactly what the industry needs right now.”

The 10-Year Roadmap: More Than Just Talk

So, what does the next decade look like under Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong?

• Global expansion into regions with pro-crypto regulations

• Stablecoin dominance with USDC

• Retail access to advanced products like perpetuals

• Seamless integration of tokenized real-world assets

• Mass adoption through user-friendly financial apps

• Regulatory leadership and policy advocacy

• Bridging TradFi and DeFi into a unified platform

Each of these pillars underlines Armstrong’s belief that the next financial giant won’t be a bank—it’ll be a crypto-native platform, built from the ground up with blockchain technology at its core.

From perpetual futures to stablecoin supremacy, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is crafting a bold strategy that positions Coinbase as the Amazon of crypto finance.

And in a world where change is the only constant, Armstrong’s vision is nothing short of revolutionary. The Bit Gazette will continue to observe the market and report as events unfold.