Brian Armstrong Lists 8 Ways Finance Still Needs 'An Update' And Crypto Is At The Center

Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong said the global financial system still requires major upgrades and called for tokenization, AI-driven services and 24/7 markets as part of a broader crypto-powered overhaul. Crypto Vision For Financial System Upgrade On Sunday, in a post on X, Armstrong outlined eight areas where he believes the financial system requires “an update.” These include tokenization of real-world assets, 24/7 global trading, next-generation payments using stablecoins and AI-driven financial services. "Jobs not done until we get these working for all," Armstrong wrote, emphasizing that the transformation will require both technological innovation and regulatory change. He said tokenization could enable real estate, stocks and bonds to be traded on-chain with instant settlement and fractional ownership, while AI could improve risk assessment, credit underwriting and financial advice. Armstrong also called for "innovation-friendly regulation," arguing for risk-based rules that encourage competition rather than one-size-fits-all frameworks. He added that open protocols and self-custodial wallets could expand financial access globally. Other priorities included easier capital formation for startups and a shift toward "sound money" as a hedge against inflation. Read Also: The Architect Of AI Governance Frameworks For High-Stakes Financial Systems AI Regulation Debate Grows Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah said advanced AI systems showed patterns resembling human emotions, while critics, including Vinod Khosla, called the Vatican-led discussion "elitist." Pope Leo XIV warned that AI development should be slowed and kept under human control, urging stronger oversight and cautioning against concentrated power. Earlier, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said Americans were right to doubt Congress's ability to regulate AI effectively, noting that lawmakers must deliver real results as the technology rapidly impacts jobs and society. Meanwhile, Armstrong said the company used AI to streamline compliance operations, cutting resolution times by about 90% while humans continued to oversee final decisions and validate outcomes. Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Read Also: Trump Backs Out Of AI Executive Order Amid Fears It Could Hurt US Tech Edge— 'Don't Want To…Get In The Way Of That Lead' Photo courtesy: Shutterstock By Thrive Studios ID