The shift began when Coinbase engineers gained access after Coinbase bought company-wide licenses for GitHub Copilot and Cursor, making them available to every engineer. Some of the team raised concerns with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong. They said it would take months before everyone adjusted, and reaching even half the workforce could stretch into several quarters.
That timeline did not sit well with Brian Armstrong. He moved quickly, stepping into what he called “founder mode.” In a message to the company’s main engineering Slack channel, he stressed that AI adoption was critical and asked everyone to onboard the AI tools by the end of the week, whether or not they were already using them in their daily work.
The Saturday Ultimatum
Along with the directive came a firm deadline. Coinbase engineers who had not completed the onboarding process by the week’s end were required to attend a Saturday meeting to explain why.
Some had legitimate reasons, such as being on vacation or returning from travel. But others had no strong justification or had simply moved too slowly. According to Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, those who failed to provide a convincing explanation were asked to leave the company, sparking headlines like Why Coinbase CEO fired engineers.
A Heavy-Handed Choice
Brian Armstrong later admitted the decision was heavy-handed. He also acknowledged the criticism it drew internally. Some employees disliked the tone and the urgency of the push. Still, he stood by the choice. For him, AI adoption was not optional. His target was clear: by the end of the quarter, half of Coinbase’s code should be written with the help of AI tools. This reflects his broader vision, often referred to as the Brian Armstrong AI strategy.
Follow-Up: Training and Culture
To keep the momentum going, Coinbase introduced monthly “AI speed run” training sessions. These sessions highlight teams that have found creative ways to use AI in their work, helping normalize the tools and making adoption feel more natural. This effort became known internally as the Coinbase AI mandate explained.
At the same time, Coinbase CEO emphasized that AI cannot run unchecked. Since the crypto exchange handles financial systems, he pointed out that AI-generated code must always be reviewed carefully, with strict safeguards and human oversight in place.
What This Really Means
This AI mandate goes deeper than just onboarding tools. It is about culture and workplace innovation. It shows how quickly some leaders want to move when it comes to weaving AI into everyday work. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong’s stance makes one thing clear: innovation at Coinbase will be enforced, even if it unsettles parts of the team.
But it also raises questions about workplace balance. A Saturday meeting to justify delays, followed by firings for slow adoption, sends a sharp message. For some, it signals a bold step forward into the future. For others, it sets a tone where speed matters more than conversation. Some saw it as a warning to engineers resisting AI adoption.
What stands out most is Brian Armstrong’s urgency. To him, AI adoption is not an experiment. It is central to the company’s future, and his actions show how far he is willing to go to ensure the crypto exchange does not fall behind. Analysts note this signals a bigger shift toward AI in crypto industry, where Coinbase aims to lead with AI tools and new forms of workplace innovation.
In many ways, the Coinbase AI mandate explained marks a cultural shift. It blends urgency, discipline, and experimentation. For critics, it raises the question of why Coinbase CEO fired engineers instead of allowing gradual adoption. For supporters, it demonstrates the Brian Armstrong AI strategy and a belief that resisting change, especially with AI in crypto industry, is no longer an option for Coinbase engineers. Even if some engineers resisting AI adoption remain skeptical, the AI mandate shows how firmly Coinbase CEO is steering the future of this crypto exchange.
