Brian Armstrong Praises ‘Diamond Hands’ as Coinbase Reports Strong Retail Activity
Retail traders seem like holding their floor by the most recent wave of crypto market volatility, in response to new information shared by Brian Armstrong, chief govt of Coinbase.
The trade says many particular person customers have continued accumulating main cryptocurrencies regardless of value swings, a development Armstrong described as proof of “diamond palms.”
The remarks arrive at a time when digital asset markets stay unsure, formed by macroeconomic strain, regulatory developments, and leveraged buying and selling exercise. While costs have fluctuated sharply, Coinbase’s inner metrics counsel retail merchants are behaving otherwise in comparison with earlier downturns.
Retail Investors Buy the Dip During Market Volatility
Armstrong stated platform information reveals most retail prospects now maintain equal or better quantities of Bitcoin and Ethereum than they did in December 2025. The figures observe “native models,” that means the variety of cash held reasonably than their greenback worth, indicating accumulation even as costs moved decrease.
Bitcoin just lately traded close to $68,500, whereas Ethereum hovered across the $2,000 degree after a interval of declines and rebounds. According to Coinbase, many customers responded to the pullback by including to their positions reasonably than exiting the market.
The development contrasts with earlier crypto cycles, when retail traders have been usually seen promoting throughout sharp corrections. Analysts notice that regular spot shopping for from smaller traders might help counterbalance volatility pushed by derivatives markets, the place leveraged positions ceaselessly amplify value swings by liquidations.
Coinbase additionally reported that retail accumulation contributed to renewed exercise on the platform, with its inventory rising in latest periods alongside elevated buying and selling curiosity within the two largest cryptocurrencies.
Executive Stock Sales Draw Attention
Armstrong’s reward for retail resilience has coincided with scrutiny over his personal share gross sales. Regulatory filings present the CEO has offered greater than $550 million value of Coinbase inventory between April 2025 and January 2026, together with transactions exceeding $100 million in latest months.
The gross sales have been executed underneath a prearranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, a mechanism generally utilized by public-company executives to schedule inventory disposals upfront.
Supporters argue that such plans are commonplace monetary administration instruments, whereas critics say the size of the gross sales sends combined indicators, encouraging retail traders to carry by volatility.
Similarly, Coinbase continues to navigate broader challenges, together with regulatory disputes tied to new product expansions such as prediction markets in a number of U.S. states.
What Retail Resilience Means for Market Sentiment
Market analysts say sustained retail accumulation may play a stabilizing position if macro circumstances enhance. Historically, intervals the place smaller traders proceed shopping for throughout downturns have generally preceded restoration phases in crypto cycles.
However, sentiment stays delicate to rate of interest expectations, geopolitical dangers, and institutional flows. For Coinbase, the mix of sturdy retail engagement and ongoing insider promoting highlights the complicated stability between management messaging, investor notion, and market efficiency in a risky setting.
Cover picture from ChatGPT, BTCUSD chart from Tradingview
