"I love Bitcoin — but not at the cost of a weakened America."
America's Financial Cliff — and Bitcoin Waiting Below
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is sounding the kind of alarm that can't be ignored. The United States is juggling a jaw-dropping $37 trillion in debt — and if that number doesn't shrink soon, Armstrong believes something unprecedented could happen: Bitcoin replacing the U.S. dollar as the world's reserve currency. That's not a headline grab — it's a warning from one of crypto's most influential voices. In a direct message to lawmakers via X, Armstrong called on Congress to take immediate steps to fix the budget mess before the dollar's crown slips — possibly for good.
Bitcoin: Not Just a Hedge, But a Replacement?
Here's the thing: people have long talked about Bitcoin as a hedge — a digital insurance policy against inflation. But Armstrong is floating a bigger idea. Not a backup. A replacement. Thanks to its fixed supply and resistance to inflationary pressure, Bitcoin could become the new anchor in global finance. That's a level of seriousness that even Bitcoin's early adopters didn't always anticipate. If the U.S. continues printing money like Monopoly cash, Armstrong believes the global markets might turn their eyes — and their reserves — to crypto.
Congress: Act Now or Surrender the Dollar's Legacy
Armstrong's message to Washington is blunt. The dollar's dominance isn't immortal. If Congress doesn't rein in spending and slow the budget bleeding, other nations and institutions could shift from USD to BTC — not as a protest, but as protection. And the data supports the fear. Trust in U.S. fiscal policy is slipping, and Bitcoin, with its algorithmic transparency and capped supply, is starting to look like the cleaner shirt in a dirty laundry basket.
State Voices Join In: Devaluation as the Only Way Out?
New Hampshire Representative Keith Ammon isn't shy about his views, either. He pointed to the U.S. printing presses working overtime to manage debt pressure. In his eyes, the only viable exit from the fiscal black hole may be a deliberate devaluation of the dollar — not to fix the problem, but to bury it under weaker currency value. In such a scenario, Bitcoin doesn't just thrive — it becomes necessary. No politics. No inflation switches. Just code.
Bitcoin as Reserve Currency: More Than Speculation Now
This isn't just fringe talk anymore. When leaders like Armstrong — who built a regulated, publicly traded crypto exchange — start discussing Bitcoin's reserve currency potential, it shifts the tone of the entire conversation. It's no longer a thought experiment; it's a looming possibility. And while Armstrong himself admits he prefers a financially stable America, he's preparing for what happens if that's no longer the reality.
Investor Implication: Prepare for a Bitcoin Boom
Crypto investors should be paying close attention. Armstrong's forecast isn't just policy critique — it's a heads-up. If the U.S. dollar stumbles further and market sentiment continues to slide, the demand for Bitcoin could spike. That means higher prices, increased liquidity, and a renewed sense of digital scarcity. Bitcoin isn't just a store of value anymore — it's being weighed as a monetary backbone.
Why Coinbase Walked Back Its Bitcoin Allocation Plan
Interestingly, Armstrong previously considered putting 80% of Coinbase's reserves into Bitcoin, taking a page from the book of Michael Saylor's Strategy. But he later backed off, citing one key reason — he didn't want to compete with his customers. That move speaks volumes. Armstrong believes in Bitcoin's future, but also understands that the ecosystem grows best when access is balanced and trust is earned. Still, the gesture shows just how much weight he gives to BTC's long-term viability.
The Choice Ahead: Dollar Discipline or Crypto Dominance
It's a fork in the road — and Armstrong sees it clearly. Either the United States tightens its fiscal belt and restores faith in its monetary system, or Bitcoin will gradually step in as a reserve of last resort. It's not a threat. It's a forecast grounded in mathematics and macroeconomics. And it's a bet Armstrong isn't afraid to place in public.