Brian Armstrong Foresees Global Financial System Overhaul as Crypto Drives Economic Freedom

Coinbase co-founder Brian Armstrong has reiterated his long-standing vision for cryptocurrency as a catalyst for economic freedom, predicting that the majority of global payments will eventually transition to crypto rails. Armstrong emphasized that Coinbase's core mission is to expand economic freedom worldwide, enabling individuals to live more autonomous lives and retain the fruits of their labor.

In a recent appearance, Armstrong stated, "The ultimate vision for crypto has always been economic freedom." He elaborated that Coinbase's mission is to "increase economic freedom in the world. It enables people to live a freer life and not have things taken away from them." He believes that when individuals are rewarded for their labor, they are incentivized to pursue more ambitious endeavors.

Armstrong highlighted the dual approach Coinbase is taking to achieve this goal: "We are trying to push on this through getting legislation passed and building better products." This strategy underscores the company's commitment to both regulatory engagement and technological innovation to foster a more inclusive financial system. He further projected that "Ultimately, I think crypto is going to update the entire financial system globally. The majority of all payments will run on crypto rails."

This perspective aligns with Armstrong's consistent advocacy for crypto's role in global economic empowerment. He has frequently argued that crypto addresses shortcomings of the traditional financial system by offering open, global networks, enforcing property rights through blockchain, and providing permissionless access to financial services. His views were notably echoed at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2025, where he championed free-market capitalism and the potential of crypto to drive prosperity. Coinbase continues to focus on developing user-friendly products and advocating for clear, forward-looking regulatory frameworks to support this transformative vision.