David Edwards
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has forecasted that cryptocurrency will become a fundamental part of the global financial system, predicting that up to 10% of global GDP could be “running on crypto rails” by 2030. Speaking during Coinbase’s fourth-quarter 2024 earnings call on February 13, Armstrong described the shift as the “dawn of a new era for crypto” in the United States.
Armstrong likened the widespread adoption of blockchain technology to the early 2000s internet boom, when businesses were compelled to integrate online capabilities or risk obsolescence.
“Onchain is the new online,” Armstrong stated.
If his projection holds, this would mean over $10 trillion in value—based on today’s global GDP of approximately $100 trillion—would be tokenized or exist on blockchain networks, according to World Bank data.
Coinbase’s Role in Crypto Expansion
Coinbase reported robust fourth-quarter earnings, with revenue reaching $2.3 billion—an 88% increase from the previous quarter. Armstrong positioned the exchange as a key infrastructure provider in this digital transformation, emphasizing that “Coinbase is going to be the preferred partner” for businesses seeking to integrate blockchain technology.
Armstrong also highlighted the changing regulatory landscape in the United States, asserting that the country is poised to lead global crypto adoption.
“President Trump is moving fast to fulfill his promise of making the US the crypto capital of the planet,” he said, adding that the United States now has the “most pro-crypto Congress” in history. With legislative progress on stablecoins and market structure, Armstrong expects international regulators to follow suit.
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller reinforced this sentiment earlier in the week, advocating for stablecoin regulations that would allow banks to issue dollar-pegged digital assets.
Outlook for Coinbase and the Crypto Market
Looking ahead, Armstrong outlined Coinbase’s strategy for sustained growth, stating that the company will focus on expanding the utility of existing products while laying the groundwork for “the next decade of growth.”
Coinbase’s strong earnings report exceeded analyst expectations, reflecting growing mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency. As regulatory frameworks evolve and institutional interest in blockchain expands, Armstrong’s bold prediction of a $10 trillion crypto economy by 2030 is gaining credibility.
