Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 20, where he outlined his priorities for engaging with global leaders on the future of finance and cryptocurrency.
Just arrived in Davos for @WEF. Three main goals this week:
1) Talk to world leaders about economic freedom and how crypto can update their financial systems
2) Continue the push for market structure legislation
3) Keep pushing for tokenization to democratize access to capital… pic.twitter.com/knjuMZKRtb
— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) January 19, 2026
In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Armstrong said his main focus at Davos is discussing economic freedom with policymakers and exploring how cryptocurrencies can modernize and improve the existing global financial system.
The 2026 WEF is being held under the theme “The Spirit of Dialogue,” a direction Armstrong said aligns closely with his mission. During his stay, he plans to meet with central bank governors, banking executives, and senior policymakers from multiple countries to discuss crypto-related financial innovation.
Regulatory Landscape and the Role of Stablecoins
Armstrong emphasized that discussions around stablecoins are a key priority in his meetings with central bank officials.
Amid persistently high global inflation, demand for stablecoins has surged, with U.S. dollar–pegged assets such as USDT and USDC gaining wider adoption. Armstrong described this environment as an opportunity to establish clearer and more balanced regulatory frameworks.
He also stressed the importance of creating laws that allow banks and crypto companies to compete on equal footing. If regulated fairly, Armstrong believes stablecoins could represent a major opportunity for both traditional financial institutions and the digital asset industry. He noted that Coinbase is actively engaging with banking leaders to help shape future market structure legislation.
The current regulatory climate has become a central part of Armstrong’s Davos agenda. He referenced recent policy shifts, including discussions under the Trump administration around establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve, as evidence that crypto is now being taken more seriously at the national policy level. Compared to the previous administration’s more hostile stance, Armstrong described the current moment as “a new dawn” for the industry.
Financial Inclusion and the Promise of Tokenization
Financial inclusion is another major theme of Armstrong’s Davos participation. He pointed out that roughly 4 billion adults worldwide do not have access to securities accounts, leaving them excluded from many wealth-building opportunities.
According to Armstrong, asset tokenization could serve as a powerful engine for democratizing access to investment opportunities. He said the crypto sector is approaching a “breakout moment,” with the potential to significantly transform global finance.
As tokenized assets and blockchain-based financial services expand, Armstrong believes access to high-quality financial tools will improve for underserved populations. He added that this shift is also encouraging more investors to take a long-term view on crypto assets.
Looking ahead, Armstrong expressed optimism that the global financial system will improve dramatically over the next decade. In a Bloomberg interview, he noted that while he rarely meets directly with President Donald Trump, Coinbase maintains regular dialogue with government officials. He emphasized his belief that the crypto industry can play a constructive role in building a more open and inclusive financial system.
