Agentic AI to Boost Demand for Programmable Crypto Payments, Says Coinbase CEO

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has pushed back on the idea that AI will replace crypto, arguing instead that 'agentic' AI, software systems that initiate actions, will increase demand for programmable, crypto-based payments.

Armstrong pointed to Coinbase's Base network as key infrastructure for autonomous machine-to-machine payments. He noted that agentic payment activity on Base surpassed 100 million transactions in June, according to Chainalysis.

The CEO framed AI agents as a new class of economic actors that will need rails and settlement mechanisms beyond traditional banking. He contrasted this with traditional banking rails designed around accounts and manual authorization.