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Coinbase CEO Recasts Earnings, Points to Growth and Bank Deals as Stablecoin Fight Heats Up

Brian Armstrong says analysts overlook core profitability, citing new institutional partnerships alongside product revenue growth.

Overview

  • Coinbase highlighted operational strength after Q4, reporting 2025 trading volume up 156% year over year, a doubled trading market share, tripled platform assets over three years, and 12 products each generating over $100 million in annualized revenue.
  • Revenue reached $1.78 billion in Q4 and $7.2 billion for the year, and management argued GAAP results were distorted by unrealized crypto marks while adjusted figures showed profitability.
  • Armstrong said five globally systemically important banks are starting to work with Coinbase and estimated roughly half of large financial institutions are engaging with crypto services.
  • He described retail customers as resilient, saying users “bought the dip” in Bitcoin and Ethereum and that February native unit balances were equal to or greater than December levels.
  • In ongoing market‑structure talks, Armstrong blamed banking trade groups for pushing to block stablecoin rewards, discussed the dispute at Mar‑a‑Lago, referenced White House‑hosted meetings, and said he expects a compromise.