Brian Armstrong, CEO of the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, is set to meet with former President Donald Trump as he continues to select key figures for his upcoming administration, particularly for government department leadership roles.
As reported by the Wall Street Journal on November 18, the meeting will focus on discussions regarding personnel appointments. While Armstrong has not directly contributed to Trump’s 2024 campaign or any associated political action committees (PACs), he previously stated that Coinbase would be open to collaborating with a Trump administration following the US election.
It remains uncertain whether Armstrong or any other Coinbase staff member might play a role in the future administration. During the 2024 Bitcoin conference in July, Trump mentioned plans to create a “Bitcoin and crypto presidential advisory council” aimed at providing clear regulatory guidance for the crypto industry within his first 100 days in office.
Since his election victory on November 6, Trump has started to announce key appointments for his administration, even suggesting the possibility of bypassing Senate confirmation processes to expedite the appointments in 2025. As of now, Trump has not indicated who he might nominate to replace Gary Gensler as the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, a position he has vowed to fill with someone more crypto-friendly.
Brian Armstrong’s shifting positions on US politics have attracted attention. In 2020, Armstrong made it clear that Coinbase would not endorse specific political causes or candidates that did not align with the company’s core mission, citing such actions as distractions. However, his stance appeared to shift in 2023 after Coinbase was hit with a Wells notice from the SEC, followed by a lawsuit alleging the offering of unregistered securities.
In the wake of the SEC’s legal action, Armstrong encouraged the crypto community to “elect pro-crypto candidates” in order to bring regulatory clarity to the sector. In 2024, he personally urged his followers on X to vote for Republican Senate candidates in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
Additionally, Coinbase and Armstrong have contributed significant financial support to the political arena, donating around $46 million to the Fairshake PAC to back candidates aligned with pro-crypto policies. Many of these candidates secured victories in their primaries and elections. The exchange has also committed $25 million to the PAC to support pro-crypto candidates for the 2026 midterms.
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