Broken Finance Pushes Americans Towards Crypto, Says Coinbase CEO

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong believes that broken finance is driving users to cryptocurrency. In an interview, he stated that 'there's something like 80% of Americans' who feel the current financial system does not work for them.

The reasons cited by Armstrong include high fees, slow payments, and unequal access to financial services. He views crypto as a democratizing force that can provide more people with access to these services.

Coinbase's acquisition of Deribit in August 2025 has expanded its product offerings, including regulated derivatives. The exchange is looking at more merger and acquisition targets, particularly in international markets, to accelerate growth.