Coinbase Controversy Gets Violent Twist As Twitter CEOs Chime In

Brian Armstrong Coinbase Community Exchange Jack Dorsey Politics

Author

Tim Alper

Author

Tim Alper

About Author

Tim Alper is a British journalist and features writer who has worked at Cryptonews.com since 2018. He has written for media outlets such as the BBC, the Guardian, and Chosun Ilbo. He has also worked...

Author Profile

Share

Copied

Last updated:

June 26, 2023 06:53 EDT

Why Trust Cryptonews

Cryptonews has covered the cryptocurrency industry topics since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts have extensive experience in market analysis and blockchain technologies. We strive to maintain high editorial standards, focusing on factual accuracy and balanced reporting across all areas - from cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects to industry events, products, and technological developments. Our ongoing presence in the industry reflects our commitment to delivering relevant information in the evolving world of digital assets. Read more about Cryptonews

American crypto exchange Coinbase’s bid to separate work from politics has been met with a tidal wave of criticism, with Twitter’s CEO and former chief having their say on what has become a furious online controversy that just got some virtual taste of violence.

Richard Costolo, the CEO of Twitter from 2010 to 2015, accused Coinbase’s management of “me-first capitalism,” saying that this kind of people “are going to be the first people lined up against the wall and shot in the revolution.”

People reacted by saying that they “cannot believe that a former CEO of [T]witter said that he’d be happy if Brian [Armstrong] was lined up and shot.” While others suggested that Costolo is breaking “its own hateful conduct policy,” as Twitter rules state that they “do not tolerate content that wishes, hopes or expresses a desire for death, serious bodily harm or fatal disease against an individual or group of people.”

“Wow, get ready for the smartest innovators to build their companies outside of the US if this keeps up!” added popular crypto trader Tone Vays.

It all began when Coinbase stated, in a blog post authored by its CEO Brian Armstrong, that it wanted to place a ban on its staff from engaging in political debate while at work, claiming that poli-talk was not in line with its greater mission. Anyone not on board with the idea, said the exchange giant, was welcome to agree terms on a severance package and quit the company.

But Jack Dorsey, the Twitter CEO, said that the crypto industry simply cannot be apolitical.

He tweeted that bitcoin (BTC) and crypto were synonymous with “direct activism against an unverifiable and exclusionary financial system.”

Dorsey continued,

“There are real issues that real people who use these services every day experience. Why would we not acknowledge and connect with our mission? Not asking for solutions, but as we connect the issues the solutions become clearer.”

Coinbase’s bid to “focus on what unites us, not what divides us” and build a “championship team” through an apolitical stance has sent social media into a storm – despite Armsong’s public backing of the Black Lives Matter movement back in summer this year.

Some sided with the Twitter chief’s sentiments.

However, some claim they are baffled as to why the crypto community and social media appear to have turned on Armstrong so quickly.

Others stated they feared Armstrong’s imminent “cancellation” as the backlash rages.

And others still accused Dorsey of talking the crypto talk, but ultimately failing to put his money where his mouth is.

___

Learn more:
New Twist in Coinbase Case Raised More Questions
What Can Crypto Crisis Managers Learn From BlockFi’s Silence & tBTC’s Openness?