Overview
- Brian Armstrong shared platform data on Feb. 15–16 showing a native unit increase in Bitcoin and Ethereum holdings among retail customers.
- The majority of Coinbase users held February BTC and ETH balances equal to or higher than their December levels, which Armstrong characterized as “diamond hands.”
- Ethereum dropped about 6.6% over 24 hours to roughly $1,947, while Bitcoin traded in the $68,000 to $69,000 range during renewed market volatility.
- Coinbase previously reported lower Q4 2025 trading volumes during an 11% slide in overall crypto market capitalization, even as retail inflows continued.
- Armstrong framed native unit metrics as a clearer signal of conviction, though critics questioned the resilience narrative and highlighted policy concerns such as access to stablecoin yield and accredited investor restrictions.