Coinbase CEO Proposes Entire Startup Lifecycle Onchain For Democratized Capital

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has unveiled a comprehensive vision to move the entire startup lifecycle onto blockchain technology, encompassing incorporation, fundraising, and going public through tokenized equity. This initiative, supported by Coinbase’s acquisition of the onchain fundraising platform Echo, aims to streamline capital formation by making it faster, cheaper, and more transparent, while also democratizing access to early-stage investments beyond traditional accredited investor restrictions. Echo has already facilitated over $200 million in fundraising for 200+ projects and will initially operate independently before integrating into Coinbase’s ecosystem, which manages over half a trillion dollars in assets. Armstrong emphasized that such onchain processes could eliminate intermediaries like banks and lawyers, enabling instant capital transfers and global investor access via smart contracts. Coinbase is actively engaging with U.S. regulators to balance consumer protection with broader investor inclusion, addressing current limitations in private offering participation. This vision could significantly expand the number of startups able to raise capital worldwide, transforming how businesses launch and grow in the digital economy.