Coinbase Global Inc. CEO Brian Armstrong said Sunday that crypto has already expanded financial access worldwide, highlighting stablecoins, decentralized finance, tokenized stocks, and Bitcoin as core infrastructure.
Armstrong noted stablecoins bring the dollar on-chain, allowing anyone anywhere to own a low-inflation currency and send it 24/7 for a fraction of a cent. Wei Zhou, CEO of Coins.Ph in the Philippines, confirmed working adults use stablecoins as "dollarized savings" because traditional dollar accounts remain difficult to access.
DeFi provides global credit access without traditional banking relationships. Armstrong said the sector offers an alternative to legacy systems for people excluded from conventional finance.
Tokenized stocks could give 4 billion unbrokered people exposure to the U.S. stock market, Armstrong added, bridging a significant gap in global investment opportunities.
On Bitcoin, Armstrong emphasized its fixed supply creates a store of wealth that cannot be inflated away, offering a hedge against currency debasement.
"There's more to do of course, but don't forget about how far we've come," Armstrong said.
Institutional investors have expanded their use of Bitcoin through diversified products, options, and structured strategies. Dave Ripley, Co-CEO of Kraken, said institutions explore crypto rails to modernize traditional finance via stablecoins and tokenized equities. Jeff Park, an advisor at Bitwise, added that financial products allow Bitcoin to generate potential income beyond simple ownership.
