During a visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said that a top executive at one of the world’s 10 largest banks told him that cryptocurrencies are now a “top priority” and that he considers them “to survive.”
Armstrong’s post, shared on X, highlights the changes in how traditional financial institutions are interacting with cryptocurrencies. The remarks highlight the growing urgency for traditional banks to adapt to crypto infrastructure, especially as global regulators move closer to establishing clearer rules for digital assets.
I just finished a week in Davos. I don’t like wearing a suit every day, but I have to wear it sometimes.
Davos is a unique place. World leaders and CEOs (and many crypto companies too!) gather for a few days in a small Swiss mountain town. It’s productive… pic.twitter.com/0lO5TqRhkL
— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) January 24, 2026
Armstrong did not name the banks or executives, but said many of the financial leaders he met during the week-long event were not only open to cryptocurrencies, but actively looking for ways to get involved. “Most of them are actually very crypto pros and are leaning into it as an opportunity,” he wrote.
For banks that rely on traditional payment rails, cryptocurrencies are both a challenge and an opportunity.
Read more: Bank of America CEO says stablecoins could drain trillions of dollars in bank deposits
tokenization push
As stablecoins and tokenized assets gain traction, the threat of disintermediation grows. By providing direct access to tokenized securities and stablecoin-based transfers, global asset managers and fintech companies could one day be able to bypass traditional banks entirely and move value instantly without delays or clearing intermediaries (the core of cryptocurrencies).
Armstrong said tokenization was one of the most discussed trends at Davos, expanding beyond stablecoins to equities, credit and other financial products.
He noted that there are an estimated 4 billion “disintermediated” adults around the world who do not have access to quality investments. He argued that tokenization could help fill that gap.
“We can expect significant progress in 2026,” he added.
regulatory clarity
The Coinbase CEO also noted that political support for cryptocurrencies in the United States appears to be strengthening.
He cited the Trump administration’s push for crypto-focused legislation, including the CLARITY Act, which aims to provide a regulatory framework for digital assets. Armstrong did not address the company’s last-minute decision to withdraw its support for the Cryptocurrency Market Structure Bill, after which the hearing was postponed.
Read more: Here’s why Coinbase and other companies fared worse on major crypto bills
Armstrong described his administration as “the most crypto-friendly government in the world,” and said promoting clear rules is essential for the U.S. to remain competitive as countries such as China invest heavily in stablecoin infrastructure. This is a theme that Donald Trump also spoke about in his speech at Davos.
AI and cryptocurrencies
Armstrong also said that artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency were the two most discussed technologies at Davos.
Although the rapid growth of AI is stealing the wind from cryptocurrencies in the capital markets, Armstrong emphasized that the two are closely related. He said AI agents will default to using stablecoins for payments, completely bypassing traditional identity verification and banking restrictions.
“The infrastructure exists and usage is increasing rapidly,” he added.
The message from Armstrong’s Davos summary was clear. That is, virtual currency is no longer a fringe experiment. For at least some of the world’s largest financial companies, this is now a strategic priority and perhaps even a matter of survival.
Read more: Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has heated argument with French central bank governor at Davos over yields and ‘Bitcoin standards’
