TL;DR
- AI Integration: Coinbase reports over 40% of its code is now AI-generated, with CEO Brian Armstrong aiming to reach 50% within the next month as part of a broader “AI-Native” strategy.
- Productivity Boost: Engineers using tools like Copilot and Claude Code have cut project timelines from months to days, accelerating development cycles significantly.
- Hiring Focus: Nearly half of Coinbase’s 350 open roles are in engineering, many tied to AI, underscoring the company’s commitment to human-AI collaboration.
More than 40% of Coinbase‘s code is now created by artificial intelligence, a number that CEO Brian Armstrong claims has more than doubled since April. Armstrong shared this achievement on X, stating that he aims to increase AI’s share to 50% by next month. While not all areas of the business can adopt AI-generated code, he emphasized the importance of using it responsibly wherever possible.
~40% of daily code written at Coinbase is AI-generated. I want to get it to >50% by October.
Obviously it needs to be reviewed and understood, and not all areas of the business can use AI-generated code. But we should be using it responsibly as much as we possibly can. pic.twitter.com/Nmnsdxgosp
— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) September 3, 2025
AI’s Expanding Role in Coinbase Development
The fast increase in AI-created code shows Coinbase’s larger effort to turn into an “AI-Native” company. Armstrong’s chart showed a steep rise in AI’s share of the codebase over recent months. This shift comes amid wider industry debates over AI’s impact on jobs, with some predicting large-scale displacement and others, including Armstrong, seeing it as a productivity boost rather than a threat.
Tools Driving Productivity Gains
Coinbase engineers are increasingly relying on AI-powered coding assistants such as Copilot, Claude Code, and Cursor. Armstrong highlighted cases where single engineers have been able to refactor, upgrade, or build new codebases in days instead of months. He has also taken a firm stance on adoption, stating in a recent podcast that he dismissed engineers who could not justify avoiding AI after a company-wide mandate to integrate it into daily workflows.
Hiring Push in Engineering and Development
Despite AI’s growing role, Coinbase is actively hiring. Almost 50% of its approximately 350 job openings are for engineering and development positions, including 93 dedicated to back-end engineering. Many of these positions reference AI in their titles or descriptions, signaling that the company sees human-AI collaboration as central to its future. Customer experience roles make up the largest share of non-technical openings, with 56 positions available.
AI’s Broader Impact on Crypto Hiring Trends
While large-scale layoffs in the crypto sector have slowed, hiring remains tighter than in 2022. Industry recruiters note that AI draws talent and investment away from crypto, as developers and entrepreneurs follow the momentum in emerging blockchain technologies. Coinbase’s approach suggests it aims to harness AI’s potential without reducing its human workforce, positioning itself at the intersection of crypto innovation and AI-driven efficiency.
