Coinbase CEO Stunt Overshadows Strong Results

Coinbase reported strong Q3 results in its 10-Q, showing significant year-over-year revenue and net income growth and ongoing expansion into areas such as prime brokerage and data analytics. During the Q3 earnings call, CEO Brian Armstrong intentionally uttered specific keywords (including “Bitcoin,” “Ethereum,” “blockchain,” “staking,” and “Web3”) reportedly to trigger prediction-market payouts — a stunt he called “fun” that drew praise as well as accusations of market manipulation or insider trading. The episode prompted mixed reactions across the industry and raised questions about corporate conduct during public disclosures. Separately, Validea’s Peter Lynch P/E/Growth model gives Coinbase a 91% score and rates Chevron at 93% and Exxon at 91%, highlighting favorable fundamental ratings for both COIN and the oil majors.