Brian Armstrong: AI Agents Can’t Open Bank Accounts, Will Rely on Stablecoins (value-pegged cryptocurrencies)

At the Goldman Sachs Builders and Innovators Summit in October 2025, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said AI agents increasingly need to pay on users’ behalf and will use stablecoins (value-pegged cryptocurrencies) because they cannot open bank accounts.

Summary

At the Goldman Sachs Builders and Innovators Summit in October 2025, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said AI agents increasingly need to make payments on behalf of users but cannot open bank accounts. He said they will rely on stablecoins (value-pegged cryptocurrencies) to facilitate those payments.

Terms & Concepts
  • Stablecoins: Cryptocurrencies pegged to a stable asset to reduce volatility.
  • AI agents: Autonomous software that performs tasks, including payments, for users.