Coinbase CEO Slams UK’s Ban on Crypto Ad Campaign as Evidence of Lingering Skepticism

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has openly criticized UK broadcasters for blocking the exchange's recent cryptocurrency advertisement campaign. The ad, which humorously contrasted traditional finance with crypto as a modern alternative, was pulled before airing without clear explanation from authorities. Armstrong argued that this decision reflects ongoing skepticism toward digital assets in the UK, contrasting it with smoother acceptance in other markets. The incident highlights the regulatory and perceptual challenges crypto faces in some regions, even as it gains traction globally.

Coinbase CEO Condemns UK's Ban on Crypto Ad Campaign

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has publicly criticized UK broadcasters for blocking the exchange's recent cryptocurrency advertisement campaign. The ad, which satirized traditional finance while promoting crypto as an alternative, was pulled before airing without explicit explanation from authorities.

Armstrong suggested the ban reveals lingering skepticism toward digital assets in Britain, noting the same messaging faced no issues in US markets. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between crypto firms and regulators in jurisdictions lacking clear frameworks for the asset class.

Market observers note the incident reflects broader challenges facing crypto adoption in the UK, where regulatory uncertainty continues to hinder industry growth. Coinbase's aggressive marketing approach has drawn mixed reactions from community members, with some questioning the campaign's confrontational tone.

Base Surpasses Solana in Daily Token Launches Amid Creator Coin Boom

Base, the ethereum Layer 2 network developed by Coinbase, has overtaken Solana in daily token launches, fueled by a surge in creator coins minted through Zora's smart contracts. These tokens are generated automatically from social posts on the Base app, transforming content into tradable assets. Over 1.6 million tokens have launched, attracting nearly 3 million traders and generating $470 million in volume.

Leading the market are creator coins like Zeebu ($487.9M), Wormhole ($355.8M), and Zora ($205.3M), with Zora dominating daily trading at $102.8 million. The model rewards creators with a share of supply and trading fees, but sustainability remains uncertain as activity leans heavily on speculative trading.

Benchmark Sees Coinbase's Q2 Dip as Buying Opportunity Amid Long-Term Growth Catalysts

Coinbase Global Inc. shares rebounded 1.8% in early Monday trading after Benchmark Capital dismissed Friday's 16.7% plunge as market overreaction. The sell-off followed softer-than-expected Q2 results, but analyst Mark Palmer maintains a $421 price target, citing five structural advantages positioning the exchange for crypto's next growth phase.

The firm's revenue-sharing agreement with Circle on USDC stablecoin reserves stands to benefit from accelerating adoption, particularly after the GENIUS Act's passage. Institutional products including prime brokerage and derivatives offerings align with potential regulatory tailwinds from the CLARITY Act.

Coinbase's development of a crypto superapp integrating trading, DeFi, and NFT functionality could capture first-mover advantage in the U.S. market. July's estimated $360 million transaction revenue—a 44% monthly increase—suggests recovering crypto activity may already be validating this thesis.

UK Risks Falling Behind in Crypto Adoption, Warns Former Chancellor George Osborne

Former UK Finance Minister George Osborne has issued a stark warning about Britain's lagging position in the global cryptocurrency race. Speaking to the Financial Times, Osborne drew parallels to the transformative financial reforms of the 1980s, urging immediate action to avoid missing what he calls a "historic opportunity in financial innovation."

"We became the world's financial center because we weren't afraid of change," Osborne remarked. "On crypto and stablecoins, the hard truth is this: we're being completely left behind." His comments come as major financial institutions worldwide accelerate their digital asset strategies.

The former Chancellor, who now serves on Coinbase's Global Advisory Council, criticized the current Labour government's "overly cautious" approach to cryptocurrency regulation. His intervention highlights growing concerns that UK policymakers are failing to capitalize on the sector's second major growth wave.

Base’s Jesse Pollak Advocates for Creator-Coin Index as SUBBD Token Gains Traction

Jesse Pollak, creator of Coinbase's Base network, proposes institutional funds allocate $5M into a creator-coin index—a tradable benchmark aggregating individual creator tokens. The strategy aims to professionalize valuation frameworks and boost confidence in this nascent asset class.

Meanwhile, $SUBBD, an AI-powered creator economy token, has raised nearly $1M in presale. Base is positioned as the infrastructure LAYER for tokenized content, potentially accelerating mainstream adoption and liquidity in an underdeveloped market.

The concept mirrors early NFT indexes but shifts focus from art to human influence. Market participants anticipate heated discussions around execution as live experiments unfold on Base.

Coinbase Downgraded to Sell as Crypto Momentum Falters

Compass Point has downgraded Coinbase (COIN) to a sell rating, slashing its year-end price target from $330 to $248. The MOVE follows weaker-than-expected Q2 earnings and fading retail interest in crypto equities. Despite trading modestly higher at $316 on Monday, COIN remains vulnerable to seasonal weakness and rising stablecoin competition.

Subscription and services revenue—a key metric for investors—missed Wall Street estimates by 8% in Q2, with Q3 guidance also falling short. Coinbase One and tech-related fees, once seen as growth drivers, declined sharply quarter-over-quarter.

The downgrade coincides with stalled momentum in crypto markets. Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) have struggled to gain traction even as traditional equities rebound. "We remain constructive on the crypto cycle," analysts noted, "but expect choppy conditions through Q3."