Brian Armstrong Net Worth in 2024

Who is Brian Armstrong?

Brian Armstrong is the co-founder and CEO of Coinbase, the leading cryptocurrency exchange in the United States. Born on January 25, 1983, in San Jose, California, Armstrong earned a degree in Computer Science from Rice University. His career includes roles at Deloitte, IBM, and Airbnb, where he gained valuable experience in tech and business.

In 2012, Armstrong co-founded Coinbase with Fred Ehrsam to make cryptocurrency trading accessible to the general public. Under his leadership, Coinbase became the first publicly listed crypto exchange (NASDAQ: COIN) with a market capitalization of over $50 billion. 

Beyond crypto, he's a key player in biotech and scientific research. Armstrong co-founded ResearchHub, a platform designed to accelerate scientific collaboration, similar to GitHub for software.

Brian Armstrong's Net Worth

In 2024, Brian Armstrong's net worth is estimated between $9 billion and $10.5 billion. This valuation is largely due to his 18% ownership in Coinbase, which has a market cap of approximately $50 billion. 

Armstrong also holds a significant stake in Coinbase Ventures, which has invested in leading Web3 projects such as EigenLayer, Uniswap, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Farcaster.

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How Did Brian Armstrong Start Coinbase?

Brian Armstrong founded Coinbase in 2012 after discovering Bitcoin in 2010. Initially planned with Ben Reeves, Armstrong launched the venture solo at Y Combinator after they split over differing views. Fred Ehrsam soon joined, and they launched Coinbase, enabling Bitcoin transactions via bank transfers. 

The platform quickly attracted significant investments, including a $5 million Series A round in 2013, positioning Coinbase as a major player in the crypto industry and leading to its public listing in 2021 with a valuation over $85 billion.

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Brian Armstrong Coinbase Stock Ownership and Sales

Brian Armstrong owned 39.6 million shares of Coinbase upon its public listing, representing 19% of the company and controlling 59.5% of its voting power.

In October 2022, Armstrong announced his plan to sell 2% of his holdings, approximately 792,000 shares, over a year to fund longevity projects like NewLimit and ResearchHub. So far, he has sold 1,835,320 shares for around $280 million in total for these causes and personal reasons.

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Brian Armstrong DEI Policy

Brian Armstrong led a significant shift in the tech industry by removing social politics from the workplace. In 2020, he declared that Coinbase would focus solely on its mission, setting aside broader societal and political issues. 

This move influenced other tech giants like Microsoft and Meta, who have since reduced their DEI initiatives. Armstrong’s leadership marks a new era where tech companies prioritize core business goals over external social agendas.

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Bottom Line

Brian Armstrong's net worth of $9 to $10.5 billion in 2024 reflects his foresight as the first major builder of a crypto exchange in America. His vision for Coinbase transformed it into a leading platform, pioneering the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency. 

Armstrong's strategic decisions, including his focus on core business objectives and innovative investments, have not only shaped the trajectory of Coinbase but also set new standards for the entire tech industry.