Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, claims that the surge in artificial intelligence (AI) will actually boost the importance of cryptocurrencies rather than diminish it. He predicts that AI-driven software agents will become the biggest users of crypto payment systems.

Why AI Could Expand Crypto’s Role

Armstrong countered the popular notion that crypto professionals should abandon their focus in favor of AI. He called this mindset a zero-sum game, arguing that AI and crypto can coexist and even complement each other. Using the examples of electricity and the internet as foundational technologies, Armstrong said crypto serves as vital infrastructure that AI applications can build upon.

He pointed out a major hurdle for autonomous AI agents: they can’t operate within traditional finance frameworks. For instance, AI agents cannot open bank accounts or endure multi-day wire transfers. Instead, they require programmable, instant money movement, which is exactly what blockchain-based payment rails provide. This line of thinking echoes recent statements from Franklin Templeton’s digital assets leader highlighting agentic AI as a key blockchain adoption driver. Binance's founder CZ also predicted early this year that AI agents will primarily transact using crypto, reinforcing the growing consensus among major industry figures.

Crypto’s Tough Year Amid AI’s Rise

Armstrong’s remarks come at a difficult time for crypto markets. Bitcoin has dropped over 25% in 2026, and U.S. spot crypto ETFs faced $4.5 billion in outflows during June. This downturn also impacted crypto-related stocks and user activity on platforms. Meanwhile, AI-focused equities have surged, contributing nearly all of the S&P 500’s roughly 9% gain this year. Despite this divergence, Armstrong insists AI’s rise will not overshadow crypto but instead increase its relevance as AI agents demand fast, programmable finance solutions.

The next challenge is whether crypto usage will reflect this predicted AI-driven demand. Observers will be watching transaction volumes and ecosystem adoption closely to see if Armstrong’s vision materializes.

Material is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.