Brian Armstrong is an American entrepreneur and software engineer best known as the co-founder and chief executive of Coinbase. Born near San Jose, California, he studied economics and computer science at Rice University, later completing a master’s degree in computer science. He worked in technology roles including at Airbnb, where his experience with international payments contributed to his interest in Bitcoin.

Armstrong co-founded Coinbase with Fred Ehrsam in 2012. The company developed into one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the United States and became publicly listed on Nasdaq through a direct listing in 2021. As chief executive, Armstrong has been a prominent figure in debates over cryptocurrency adoption, regulation and the role of digital assets in financial services.

He has also supported philanthropic initiatives and co-founded NewLimit, a biotechnology company focused on cellular ageing. His career spans cryptocurrency, software and technology entrepreneurship.