FinanceShareShare this articleCopy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmailCoinbase Unfazed by Wall Street Competition, Says Executive
A Coinbase executive called for reasonable crypto regulations and announced the Stand With Crypto event taking place in over 500 global locations.
By Olivier Acuna|Edited by Stephen Alpher May 24, 2026, 8:00 p.m. 3 min readMake preferred on Stand With Crypto is a global advocacy group with over 3.7 million members worldwide. (Coinbase/Press)Key Points:
- Coinbase expresses confidence in its position against traditional financial institutions, asserting that the grassroots support for crypto cannot be matched by Wall Street.
- Stand With Crypto, deemed the largest crypto-advocacy organization, boasts 3.7 million members who have contacted legislators over 2.5 million times, despite a recent CoinDesk survey indicating that only 1% of U.S. voters prioritize crypto as their main concern.
- Executives at Coinbase argue that the global Stand With Crypto events on Bitcoin Pizza Day highlight the political influence of “crypto voters” and stress the urgency for governments to implement coherent regulations.
According to Coinbase’s head of Policy for Europe, the exchange is not worried about the escalating competition from established financial giants. In an interview with CoinDesk, she stated, "We have always said that a rising tide lifts all ships," and emphasized that Coinbase is “not at all” apprehensive about the growing participation of financial institutions in the crypto space.
Recently, Coinbase reported a loss of $1.49 per share, which fell short of analysts’ predictions of a $0.27 profit. Additionally, in early May, the company announced a 14% reduction in its workforce.
In a brief interview regarding the Stand With Crypto (SWC) events, Harries noted that the worldwide mobilization indicates a strong community backing the established crypto industry, which cannot be duplicated by traditional finance. "Millions of people around the world chose crypto because they believe in what it represents: open, accessible, peer-to-peer finance," she explained. "The individuals gathered today in cities like London, Paris, New York, and Sao Paulo are not here because a financial institution directed them; they are here because they believe in this technology and seek governmental support for it."
‘Voters Do Care About Crypto’
Harries also addressed the sentiment of American voters, acknowledging that while crypto may not be their foremost issue as they approach the November midterm elections, they do care about digital assets, having reached out to lawmakers millions of times. "Voters do care, and the numbers make that clear," she asserted, countering recent statements from senators suggesting otherwise. "Stand With Crypto has over 3.7 million advocates across six markets, and its members have contacted lawmakers more than 2.5 million times."
She further indicated that this illustrates that the crypto voter is a consistent presence in the political arena, not only in the U.S. but worldwide. "Policymakers who have been slow to engage with this community should take note," she added.
A CoinDesk survey of 1,000 randomly selected U.S. voters revealed that just 1% considered crypto to be their primary concern. The survey included an equal representation of Republican and Democrat participants (41% identified with each party), with a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.53%.
‘The Time for Sensible Regulation is Now’
Harries urged regulators globally to establish sensible frameworks for crypto regulation, emphasizing that the time for action is now. "The window to shape sensible crypto regulation is open, and the individuals gathering at the events on Friday are watching," she stated.
According to Coinbase, SWC is the largest crypto-advocacy group worldwide, with over 3.7 million members. Harries’ comments coincide with SWC hosting 500 events across four continents and six markets, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, Brazil, and the European Union.
These events align with Bitcoin Pizza Day, as noted in a statement from Coinbase. The global event will feature a livestream discussing ecosystem and policy developments across the world.
Coinbase highlighted that this event is particularly significant as legislative discussions around market structure are progressing in the U.S. Congress.
Faryar Shirzad, Chief Policy Officer at Coinbase and a partner of Stand With Crypto, remarked that the rally demonstrates that the crypto voter phenomenon is global. "People worldwide desire the freedom to exchange value peer-to-peer and expect their governments to facilitate that. This quest for financial advancement transcends national borders," he said.
Shirzad also emphasized that achieving appropriate crypto regulation is one of the most critical policy challenges of our generation, necessitating a coordinated global effort, not just actions taken in Washington. Bitcoin Pizza Day commemorates a historic moment for millions of crypto enthusiasts, marking the first real-world bitcoin transaction when Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 BTC for two pizzas on May 22, 2010. Presently, that bitcoin would be valued at over $770 million.
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