Prime Highlight:

• Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has made AI adoption mandatory for all engineers, requiring them to use tools like GitHub Copilot and Cursor.
• Armstrong aims for 50% of Coinbase’s code to be written with AI by the end of the quarter, marking a strong shift toward AI-driven development.

Key Facts:

• Coinbase now hosts monthly “AI speedruns,” where employees share how they use AI in their projects to train and inspire colleagues.
• A GitHub survey shows 92% of U.S. programmers at large firms already use AI coding assistants, with 70% reporting improved efficiency.

Key Background:

Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S., is making artificial intelligence a central part of its future. CEO Brian Armstrong has directed all engineers at the company to start using AI-powered coding tools such as GitHub Copilot and Cursor.

To speed up adoption, Coinbase purchased enterprise licenses for these tools and asked employees to get on board within a week. While many followed the order quickly, some did not. Armstrong later made it clear in an internal meeting that learning these tools was mandatory. As a result, a few employees who failed to comply left the company.

Armstrong explained that the decision was not only about enforcing rules but about preparing Coinbase for the future. “AI is too important for us to ignore. Every engineer needs to start learning it and applying it to their work,” he said. According to him, nearly one-third of Coinbase’s code is already written with AI assistance, and the company aims to raise that number to 50% by the end of the quarter.

To encourage learning, Coinbase now organizes monthly “AI speedruns,” where employees who successfully use AI in their work guide others on how to do the same. The idea is to ensure that not just engineers, but teams in other departments such as marketing, customer service, and operations, also benefit from the technology.

This practice is reflective of the industry at large. Such industry leaders as Google, Microsoft, and Shopify are also taking steps to have their employees involved in using AI tools. A recent survey conducted by GitHub has found that over 90 percent of U.S. programmers working at large businesses use AI assistants, with many users saying that they work more efficiently and faster.

While Armstrong’s methods have drawn mixed reactions, they highlight his determination to position Coinbase as a leader in AI-driven innovation. By setting a clear direction, the company is betting that embracing AI now will secure a stronger competitive edge in the future of fintech.