Coinbase CEO Says It is ‘Best Times To Get Ahead’ In Crypto as Critics Slam Exchanges’ Shift to Precious Metals

Core Insights - The current downturn in crypto markets is viewed as an opportunity for building and investing, despite precious metals outperforming digital assets [1] - Coinbase has expanded its trading offerings to include precious and industrial metals, allowing traders to access futures contracts for silver, gold, copper, and platinum [5][6] - Critics argue that the shift towards metals by crypto leaders indicates a lack of long-term conviction in digital assets [7][8] Group 1 - Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong emphasized that the subdued market sentiment creates favorable conditions for those who believe in the long-term potential of crypto [2] - In 2022, over $36 billion in crypto venture capital was raised, but sentiment has since deteriorated, leading to a challenging environment for sectors like decentralized finance and non-fungible tokens [3] - Armstrong remains optimistic, suggesting that those who are skeptical will eventually adopt crypto without realizing it [4] Group 2 - The expansion into precious metals trading has been met with criticism, as some commentators believe it reflects a pivot away from digital assets amid waning enthusiasm [7] - Regulatory uncertainty continues to be a concern for Coinbase, especially following its withdrawal of support for a Senate crypto bill [8]