Coinbase developers who declined to use AI tools were fired, CEO Brian Armstrong says

In a move that signals a new and aggressive approach to workplace technology, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has confirmed that the company fired developers who failed to adopt AI coding tools. The crypto exchange, which had acquired enterprise licenses for tools like GitHub Copilot and Cursor, issued a strict mandate for its engineering team: onboard the new AI platforms within one week.

Armstrong, speaking on a podcast, described the situation as a “heavy-handed approach” but one he deemed necessary to accelerate the company’s AI integration. When his teams projected a gradual adoption timeline of several months, Armstrong said he “went rogue” and posted a company-wide Slack message. The ultimatum was clear: all engineers must at least onboard the new tools by the end of the week, or attend a mandatory Saturday meeting with him to explain their non-compliance.

The meeting proved to be a pivotal moment for some employees. While a few had legitimate reasons for not complying, such as being on vacation, others did not. “And they got fired,” Armstrong stated bluntly. He did not disclose the exact number of individuals terminated, but the action sends a clear message that for Coinbase, AI adoption is not optional.

Armstrong revealed that the company has already seen significant results from the mandate, with 33% of Coinbase’s code now being written by AI, and an ambitious goal of reaching 50% by the end of the current quarter. To ensure quality control, the company is implementing monthly “AI Speed Runs,” where engineers who have found the most effective ways to use the tools share their best practices. Armstrong, however, stressed the importance of human oversight, especially given Coinbase’s financial operations. “You don’t want people vibe coding these systems moving money,” he cautioned, emphasizing that all AI-generated code must undergo a thorough human review.

The bold decision by Coinbase reflects a growing trend in the tech industry where companies are no longer waiting for organic adoption but are instead mandating the use of AI tools to gain a competitive edge. This has sparked a debate about the future of developer roles and the balance between technological efficiency and human expertise. While some view the move as a pragmatic step toward the future, others express concerns about its impact on employee morale and the potential for a loss of critical thinking skills.