Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong believes crypto isn’t just technology — it’s a tool for spreading capitalism worldwide. His comments come as the U.S. reignites debates about socialism vs. capitalism, following the election of a self-proclaimed socialist mayor in New York, Zohran Mamdani.
Amid the discourse, Armstrong argued that prosperity — especially for the poor — comes from more capitalism, not less. He framed crypto as the modern engine of economic liberty:
“Crypto helps with this by injecting economic freedom (and capitalism) into every country around the world — as long as people have a smartphone and the internet.” — Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase
In Armstrong’s view, crypto is the digital infrastructure of free markets. It allows individuals to bypass state-controlled systems and participate directly in capital markets — no central banks, no bureaucracy, no gatekeepers.
This, he argues, is the purest form of capitalism: voluntary exchange, global liquidity, and individual control.
He acknowledges that the idea — “more capitalism to fix poverty” — may sound counterintuitive. But in practice, it’s crypto’s permissionless nature that gives the poorest populations access to wealth creation.
To illustrate his point, Armstrong cited Venezuela — a nation devastated by hyperinflation and currency collapse. When the bolívar became worthless, citizens turned to Bitcoin, USDT, and other crypto assets to preserve purchasing power.
For Armstrong, this is crypto’s social purpose in action: it lets people access capitalistic mechanisms even in economies ruled by state planning — a working antidote to socialism’s failures.
Armstrong doesn’t dismiss capitalism’s flaws — he argues that crypto can upgrade it. Instead of replacing markets, blockchain expands who can participate in them.
In essence, Armstrong sees blockchain not as rebellion — but as evolution. Crypto, he says, could complete capitalism’s mission by decentralizing it.
The CEO’s comments reflect a larger narrative emerging among tech and finance leaders: that crypto isn’t “anti-system” — it’s the system’s next version. As global economies struggle with inflation, debt, and inequality, crypto offers a way to preserve both freedom and functionality.
For Armstrong, the message is clear: crypto is capitalism — just without borders.
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