Coinbase CEO Garners Praise, Pushback for Prediction Market Shoutouts in Earnings Call

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong stirred reactions during the Q3 earnings call by spontaneously mentioning terms that prediction market users wagered on. His comments included words like 'blockchain,' 'staking,' and 'Web3,' which delighted some users who had bet on their inclusion. However, others criticized the act, suggesting it resembled market manipulation. Armstrong’s comments were linked to markets on platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, allowing users to predict words said during events. His remarks reportedly boosted the odds of these terms significantly. Despite the excitement, the actual market activity was limited, with low liquidity observed. Coinbase stated that Armstrong's intent was lighthearted, but the incident raised questions about market ethics and the responsibilities of a CEO.

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