Coinbase CEO Fires Engineers Over AI Mandate, Targets 50% AI-Written Code by October

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has fired engineers who failed to meet a one-week deadline to adopt AI coding tools. The move is part of Coinbase’s aggressive push to have over 50% of its code generated by AI by October 2025.

Armstrong made the announcement in a podcast with Stripe’s John Collison. He confirmed that around 40% of code is already AI-generated. He wants to see that number rise fast.

Armstrong Sets Bold AI Coding Target for Coinbase

Armstrong acted after engineers said full adoption would take months. He rejected the timeline and gave them one week to onboard. Some failed and were removed.

The decision sparked criticism internally. Armstrong defended the move. He said clear action was needed to set expectations.

In a post on X, he wrote: “I want to get it to >50% by October.” This puts Coinbase among the fastest adopters of AI tools in the tech world.

The company holds monthly “AI speed runs” to train staff. Armstrong says single engineers now complete months-long projects in just days.

AI Use Expands Beyond Engineering at Coinbase

Coinbase isn’t limiting AI to just engineering. Armstrong said product managers, designers, and even finance teams are now using AI tools.

AI is now included in decision-making. In Coinbase’s RAPIDS process, AI tools provide input alongside human staff.

Armstrong admitted that AI can’t be used everywhere. Financial systems and sensitive code still need human review. But other areas like frontend, unit testing, and internal tools are seeing rapid AI use.

“We should be using it responsibly as much as we possibly can,” he said.

Tech Industry Faces Challenges with AI Integration

Other tech leaders share Armstrong’s urgency. A GitHub survey found 92% of developers use AI tools. Still, concerns remain about code quality and long-term risks.

Stripe’s John Collison asked if fully AI-written systems can be maintained over time. Armstrong agreed it’s still unclear.

“You don’t want people vibe-coding systems moving money,” he warned.

Despite doubts, Armstrong says the results so far are strong. “This has enabled profound success stories,” he said.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is betting big on AI.
And he’s not waiting for slow adoption.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Why did the Coinbase CEO fire some engineers?

They failed to adopt AI tools within a week as instructed. Armstrong called it a necessary step to set clear expectations.

Q2: How much Coinbase code is currently AI-generated?

About 40% of daily code at Coinbase is written by AI. The goal is to increase this to over 50% by October 2025.

Q3: What is the Coinbase CEO’s position on AI in critical systems?

Armstrong said sensitive areas like financial systems will still need human oversight. AI is mainly used for frontend and testing tasks.

Q4: Are other teams at Coinbase using AI?

Yes. Designers, product managers, and finance staff are also adopting AI tools. AI even contributes to company decisions.

Q5: What challenges does Coinbase face with AI adoption?

Maintaining AI-generated code long term is still a concern. But productivity gains have been significant so far.