Coinbase CEO advocates for global crypto adoption as Base expands payment footprint

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is advocating for broader global cryptocurrency adoption, highlighting the role of stablecoins in providing low-inflation currency access and 24/7 transaction capabilities. Armstrong suggests that decentralized finance (DeFi) and tokenized stocks could provide financial services and market access to billions of unbanked or unbrokered individuals worldwide.

In tandem with these adoption goals, Coinbase’s Base network has emerged as a significant infrastructure layer for stablecoin-linked card payments. As of July 2026, Base accounts for approximately 19% of tracked crypto card spending volume, matching Solana and trailing Optimism. The stablecoin card market is estimated to have an annualized volume of roughly $18 billion.

Visa has played a key role in this growth by expanding its stablecoin settlement pilot to include the Base network. The primary assets driving these payment programs are USDC and USDT. Base’s growth is attributed to its low transaction fees, fast finality, and deep integration with Circle, the issuer of USDC.