Coinbase(US:COIN) Benzinga·2026-01-16 04:39Core Viewpoint - Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is advocating for legislation that ensures fair competition in the cryptocurrency market, particularly following the postponement of the cryptocurrency market structure bill [1][4]. Group 1: Legislative Advocacy - Armstrong emphasized the need for a "level playing field" in Congress, arguing that American companies should compete fairly without undue influence from banks [2]. - He highlighted the importance of consumers being able to earn higher returns on their stablecoins, specifically advocating for a 3.8% return [2][3]. Group 2: Impact of Coinbase's Withdrawal - Coinbase's withdrawal of support for the cryptocurrency market structure bill led to its indefinite postponement, primarily due to concerns over a rule that would prevent cryptocurrency platforms from offering rewards on idle stablecoin balances [4]. - This rule contrasts with traditional banks that can offer interest on dollar deposits, raising concerns about competitive fairness [4]. Group 3: Financial Implications - Stablecoin rewards are a significant revenue source for Coinbase, linked to interest on USDC reserves shared with Circle [5]. - Following the news, Coinbase shares experienced a 1.01% rebound in after-hours trading after a 6.48% decline during regular trading, indicating volatility in the stock's performance [5].