Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong has highlighted many of key areas where the financial system still needs a significant update. Armstrong said that tokenization of real-world assets is a high-potential segment that could transform real estate, stocks, bonds, funds by bringing them all onchain. He further noted that this will enable instant settlement, fractional ownership and allow for “massive” distribution.
Coinbase chief executive Brian Armstrong added that then there’s 24/7 Global trading. This can be enhanced with pooled global liquidity, so that every asset, every person can have greater leverage and capital efficiency.
Additionally, the Coinbase CEO said there will be next-gen payments that will enable near-instant, low-cost global transfers using stablecoins. In particular this will include support for agentic payments.
Armstrong also mentioned that the ongoing digital transformation will support AI-powered risk, credit, compliance, and advice. There will also be better decisions, less fraud, and broader access to capital.
And, everyone gets access to a better financial advisor.
According to the Coinbase chief executive, there will also be innovation friendly regulation. Basically, this means we will shift from the one-size-fits-all models to risk-based rules that encourage responsible innovation as well as healthy competition instead of stifling it.
Furthermore, the Coinbase CEO anticipates expanded access where there are open protocols that reduce the need for third-parties / middlemen and self-custodial wallets to effectively expand access to everyone who has a smartphone.
Major areas where the financial system still needs an update:
1. Tokenization of real-world assets – Real estate, stocks, bonds, funds, etc. onchain for instant settlement, fractional ownership & massive distribution.
2. 24/7 Global trading – Pooled global liquidity, every…
— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) May 24, 2026
Finally, there should be key changes when it comes to capital formation. For instance, the Coinbase chief executive says this process should be fairly low cost and turnkey for anyone to raise funds for a good concept / idea, increasing the number of startups being launched.
In addition to this, Armstrong said we should have sound money, basically a refuge from inflation, when discipline is lost in fiat currencies.
He concluded that the job is not done until we get these working for all consumers and businesses. The Coinbase CEO acknowledged that this will require lots of digital technology advancements as well as policy work to achieve core objectives.
Under the current Trump Administration, meaningful progress has been made in terms of introducing progressive regulation that encourage innovation as opposed to stifling growth and development (a practice that became common under the previous Biden Administration).