Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Sells $550M in Shares as COIN Stock Faces Pressure

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Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has sold more than $550 million worth of company shares over the past year, according to publicly available data.

Figures highlighted by VanEck’s Head of Digital Assets Research, Matthew Sigel, show Armstrong sold over 1.5 million Coinbase (COIN) shares between April 2025 and January 2026.

Key Share Sales Details

• Total shares sold: 1.5 million+
• Total value: Around $550 million
• Largest sale: June 25, 2025 – 336,265 shares at about $355 per share
• Most recent sale: January 5, 2026 – 40,000 shares at about $249 per share
• Total transactions: 88 separate sales
• Shares purchased during this period: None

Despite the sales, Armstrong still holds an estimated $14 billion worth of Coinbase stock, keeping him one of the company’s largest shareholders.

Why Is Brian Armstrong Selling Coinbase Stock?

The sales were made under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. This is a legal framework that allows company executives to schedule stock sales in advance. The purpose of this plan is to reduce insider trading concerns by setting up automatic transactions ahead of time.

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Armstrong adopted the trading plan in August 2025. Because the sales were pre-arranged, they were not necessarily based on short-term market movements. However, large insider sales can still create negative sentiment, especially when they happen during periods of stock price weakness.

Coinbase Stock Under Pressure

Armstrong’s stock sales come at a time when Coinbase shares have pulled back from earlier highs. On February 12, major banks, including JPMorgan and Citi, lowered their price targets on COIN ahead of the company’s earnings report. Analysts pointed to softer crypto trading volumes and cautious revenue expectations.

The decline in Coinbase stock has also affected Armstrong’s personal net worth, reportedly pushing him off Bloomberg’s list of the world’s 500 richest individuals.

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FAQs

Do insider stock sales always signal a lack of confidence in the company?

Not necessarily. Executives often sell shares for diversification, tax planning, or liquidity reasons. When trades are made under pre-arranged plans, they are typically structured to avoid reacting to short-term market developments.

Could these sales affect how institutional investors view Coinbase?

Institutional investors usually examine broader fundamentals such as revenue trends, trading volumes, and regulatory outlook. However, sizable insider sales can influence short-term sentiment, particularly during periods of market uncertainty.

What should investors watch next regarding Coinbase?

Market participants will likely focus on upcoming earnings results, forward guidance, and crypto trading activity trends. Analyst revisions and macroeconomic conditions could also shape near-term stock performance.