Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said a top executive at one of the world’s 10 largest banks told him crypto is now the bank’s “number one priority” and an “existential” issue. Armstrong highlighted tokenization of assets and stablecoins as major themes, arguing they could broaden access to investments for billions while threatening to bypass traditional banks. Armstrong didn’t name the bank or executive, but said that many financial leaders he met during the weeklong event weren’t just open to crypto — they were actively seeking ways to get in.
“Most of them are actually very pro crypto and are leaning into it as an opportunity,” he wrote. As stablecoins and tokenized assets gain momentum, the threat of disintermediation grows. Armstrong described the Trump administration as the most crypto-forward government globally, backing efforts like the CLARITY Act.
AI agents will likely use stablecoins for payments outside conventional banking rails. The remark underscores the growing urgency among traditional banks to adapt to crypto infrastructure. Armstrong’s Davos recap highlighted a shift in how legacy financial institutions are engaging with crypto. Tokenization was one of the most discussed trends at Davos, expanding beyond stablecoins into equities, credit, and other financial products.
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