Coinbase CEO: Crypto Infrastructure Must Adapt to AI-Powered Agents

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is refuting the idea that cryptocurrency should rely on artificial intelligence (AI) to function. He believes that crypto is a universal infrastructure and that AI agents will need real-time programmable money.

Armstrong argues that the current financial strategy for agents through Base, USDC, and x402 will allow for faster, higher quality, and more efficient tokens.

The use of internal AI acceleration to improve code delivery and cost control is also being explored. Externally, wallets, payments, and trading tools are being opened up to autonomous agents.

This move is seen as a technological replacement and industrial chain reconstruction, where traditional bank accounts and manual approvals will not be compatible with high-frequency trading entities.