Coinbase Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) founder Brian Armstrong issued a strong warning to lawmakers, stating that opposing cryptocurrency is now a “good way to end your career.”
What Happened: Armstrong’s comments follow election results that, according to his “reflections on the election through a crypto lens,” signal a shift in U.S. political support toward pro-crypto policies and candidates.
With 257 pro-crypto candidates elected to the House, Armstrong emphasized that anti-crypto stances no longer align with voters’ priorities, especially as citizens increasingly seek alternatives to the current financial system.
Armstrong pointed to several election outcomes as indicators of the crypto industry’s growing influence, noting that a significant factor in Ohio’s Senate race was the crypto-friendly stance of Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), who defeated one of the industry’s most vocal opponents, Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).
Additionally, Armstrong highlighted the “StandWithCrypto” movement, which mobilized millions of pro-crypto voters, showing the extent of support for policies favoring digital assets.
“DC received a clear message that being anti-crypto is a good way to end your career,” he said.
Armstrong also criticized figures like Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and SEC Chair Gary Gensler, whom he accused of attempting to “unlawfully kill” the industry.
Reflecting on the election outcome, he argued that “the work of Senator Warren and Gary Gensler” did not resonate with voters, whom he believes desire “economic freedom” over expansive government regulation.
The Coinbase CEO sees the path ahead as one rooted in bipartisan support for crypto, with the industry committed to advancing “sensible legislation” in the U.S.
Coinbase and other crypto giants, including Andreessen Horowitz, have contributed significant funding to PACs like Fairshake, with a goal of securing pro-crypto policies and protections for the industry by the 2026 midterms.
StandWithCrypto, an advocacy group supported by Coinbase, also plans to expand its efforts, aiming for 4 million advocates by 2026 to strengthen global and domestic policy alignment for crypto.
What’s Next: The broader political environment could foster favorable policies for crypto, which industry leaders will analyze further at Benzinga’s Future of Digital Assets event on Nov. 19.
