Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said cryptocurrency companies do not need to choose between crypto and artificial intelligence, arguing that the two technologies could develop in tandem as autonomous AI agents require programmable payment infrastructure.

Armstrong said blockchain-based payments could provide financial rails for software agents that operate online, make payments, trade and complete financial workflows within limits set by users. He described the emerging model as “Agentic Finance,” or AiFi.

Armstrong Frames Crypto as Infrastructure for AI Agents

Armstrong compared cryptocurrency with broad-purpose technologies such as the internet and electricity, saying AI development could strengthen the case for programmable blockchain-based payments rather than weaken it.

He argued that autonomous software agents may face difficulties using conventional bank accounts and slower payment systems that were designed for human customers. Programmable digital payments, he said, could allow agents to transact continuously and across online services, while user-defined limits would remain central to controlling what those agents can execute.

Armstrong said Coinbase has been building infrastructure for this model through its x402 protocol, Base blockchain and USDC stablecoin. He added that those projects now power the majority of agentic payments.

The Coinbase CEO also defined the developing ecosystem as Agentic Finance, or AiFi, and described it as an important part of the company’s long-term strategy. The framing places Coinbase’s AI payments work alongside its broader push to make crypto infrastructure usable for applications beyond trading.

Coinbase launched Coinbase for Agents on June 11. The service connects supported AI agents to Coinbase accounts through a command-line interface and Model Context Protocol integration. It allows agents to trade, pay and execute approved workflows within user-defined limits.

Coinbase CEO Backs Bitcoin Security Efforts and CLARITY Act

Armstrong has also supported broader policy and infrastructure initiatives affecting the digital asset sector.

The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, known as the CLARITY Act, proposes a federal framework that would divide oversight of digital commodities and related intermediaries between the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. For companies building digital asset payment products, the bill is relevant because it addresses which federal agencies would oversee parts of the market.

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon also supported advancing the CLARITY Act, while saying the legislation was not perfect.

Coinbase has joined the Bitcoin Security Consortium, an initiative focused on protecting the BTC blockchain network against potential threats from quantum computing. Armstrong said there is no immediate threat to BTC, but that Coinbase is taking steps intended to reduce possible future risks.

He said the company’s efforts are focused on strengthening Bitcoin’s long-term resilience against potential quantum computing threats.

AI-Related Tokens Trade Higher

AI-related cryptocurrency tokens advanced as Armstrong discussed the potential connection between crypto infrastructure and autonomous AI systems.

According to CoinGecko data cited in the source report, leading AI-linked tokens including Near Protocol (NEAR), Bittensor (TAO) and Venice Token (VVV) gained between 5% and 10%.

AI-related cryptocurrency tokens have attracted renewed investor interest amid wider technology-sector developments. The source report cited growing attention around high-profile AI IPOs and expanding AI infrastructure.

It also said market sentiment has been supported by announcements from major technology companies, including NVIDIA, while AI agent frameworks have remained in demand.

Armstrong’s comments reinforced Coinbase’s view that blockchain infrastructure could become an important payment layer for autonomous AI systems. However, while AI-related cryptocurrencies traded higher during the session, available market data did not establish a direct connection between Armstrong’s remarks and token price movements.