Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong criticizes US crypto regulation, SEC behavior in Twitter Space

Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong criticizes US crypto regulation, SEC behavior in Twitter Space

Mar. 23, 2023

By Liam 'Akiba' Wright

Coinbase's legal challenges with SEC discussed in Twitter Space on Crypto Regulation.

Coinbase moved forward with a Twitter Space on crypto regulation previously planned for Friday following the Wells Notice served to it by the SEC this week.

Chris Lehane, SVP of Policy & Communications at Airbnb, kicked off the Twitter space by giving the ‘forward-looking statement’ disclaimer usually reserved for earnings calls and other official communications, giving the Space a sense of gravitas unfamiliar to the format.

The Space started with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong referencing the Wells Notice, initially stating, “we didn’t think this was unexpected, to be honest.” He further framed Coinbase as keen to play by the rules saying, “we’ve always taken a compliance first approach[…] we want there to be a bridge between fiat and crypto.”

However, Armstrong revealed that “the SEC is one where we’ve really struggled over the past few years.” He then recounted that Coinbase had attempted to contact the SEC to discuss the regulatory landscape with no avail until the SEC specifically requested to visit Coinbase last year.

Armstrong disclosed that Coinbase had “30 meetings over the last nine months” with the SEC, which was supposed to culminate in a meeting where feedback would be given.

However, Armstrong alleged that the SEC canceled the meeting the day before it was supposed to happen and subsequently filed a Wells Notice to Coinbase a week later.