Overview
- Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said an unnamed top executive at a top‑10 global bank called crypto their number one priority and an existential issue for the firm.
- He reported that most financial leaders he met in Davos were leaning into digital assets and actively looking for ways to participate.
- Tokenization and stablecoins dominated discussions, with Armstrong touting their potential to move value directly, bypass intermediaries, and expand access for billions of unbrokered adults.
- He noted growing U.S. policy attention, citing the Trump administration’s push for the CLARITY Act and ongoing Congressional debate over allowing stablecoins to pay yield, which banks warn could drain deposits.
- Armstrong also warned that AI agents are likely to default to stablecoins for payments, potentially sidestepping conventional identity checks and banking restrictions.