Coinbase CEO criticizes UK over ad ban, calls crypto policy outdated

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said on X that the UK’s decision to ban the company’s advertisement triggered strong reactions, showing that it struck a nerve. He criticized UK regulators for still treating cryptocurrency like a form of gambling, calling that view outdated and out of touch with reality. Armstrong explained that the ad’s main message is that the traditional financial system is no longer working for many people, and that crypto offers a better, more inclusive alternative. While similar ads have aired in the U.S., he said the UK continues to ignore the potential of crypto to benefit its citizens. He added that efforts to block or censor the message are actually helping to spread it further. Coinbase officially launched its UK operations in February.