Coinbase gained early dominance by prioritizing regulatory compliance and trust, distinguishing itself from less transparent competitors. The company faced critical operational challenges, including securing assets and scaling support amid rapid growth. Today, it combats sophisticated threats like North Korean hackers with strict access controls and bounties. Armstrong envisions Coinbase as a primary financial account, enabling loans, payments, and wealth preservation through crypto, especially in high-inflation economies. Stablecoins and Bitcoin are gaining legitimacy as both investment and infrastructure, with institutional adoption accelerating as regulation clarifies—highlighted by the GENIUS Act. Coinbase is also reshaping its internal culture, mandating AI use across engineering and operations to maintain competitive speed. Leadership lessons from figures like Balaji Srinivasan and historical statesmen inform its mission-first approach, while political engagement has helped secure a more favorable regulatory environment. The company balances innovation through venture-style projects like Base, all while advocating for broader access, fraud prevention, and decentralized financial systems that could redefine global economic freedom.