Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box Asia to outline his perspective on Bitcoin’s future and regulatory developments affecting the cryptocurrency industry. Armstrong, who leads one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the United States, discussed the role of regulatory clarity and reiterated his long-term bullish target for Bitcoin.
Armstrong reaffirms $400,000 Bitcoin target
Armstrong addressed whether he still believes Bitcoin could reach $400,000 by 2030, given the current price below $80,000. He replied that this target remains reasonable in his view, citing not only broader market forces but also ongoing regulatory progress as potential catalysts for price appreciation.
He pointed especially to technical and cyclical factors, as well as legislative steps such as the Clarity Act, as elements that could shape Bitcoin’s trajectory in the years ahead. The Clarity Act, under consideration in the U.S., aims to define clearer regulatory guidelines for digital assets, with industry stakeholders closely watching its outcome.
Armstrong also referred to the anticipated Bitcoin halving event, suggesting that run-ups in price often occur in the period leading up to these scheduled reductions in block rewards.
Mini dictionary: Halving, a programmed event in the Bitcoin network that occurs every 210,000 blocks, cuts the mining reward in half and historically has influenced supply dynamics and price trends.
Armstrong stated that cycles in the crypto market typically involve a run-up followed by a down period lasting about a year, and he believes Bitcoin has reached the bottom in its most recent cycle.
Cycle bottom and price recovery
Armstrong described the cyclical nature of Bitcoin’s market behavior, stating that each cycle generally includes a period of euphoria and a subsequent downward phase. According to Armstrong, the latest down cycle lasted roughly a year, aligning with historical trends.
He pointed out that Bitcoin has staged a notable recovery from its July 1, 2026 low of $57,717, observing that the recent sustained price increase could signal the end of the bearish period. Armstrong indicated that upcoming regulatory changes, such as the outcome of the Clarity Act and subsequent rulemaking, are likely to affect future market movements.
| Metric | Latest Cycle Low | Current Price | Armstrong’s 2030 Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date/Block | July 1, 2026 | September 2026 | 2030 projection |
| BTC Price | $57,717 | $79,070 | $400,000 |
Armstrong noted that traders and investors are expected to monitor the outcome of the Clarity Act closely. If the measure does not pass, he suggested subsequent regulatory steps will draw additional attention.
Halving and near-term outlook
Armstrong said the Bitcoin halving, expected in mid-April 2028 at block height 1,050,000, is likely to encourage positive momentum. He observed that rallies often occur prior to halving events, a pattern supported by Bitcoin’s past performance.
Regarding shorter-term prospects, Armstrong expressed optimism about Bitcoin’s outlook over the next one to two years, underscoring a general expectation for favorable conditions despite volatility in global bond markets.
Armstrong emphasized that, in his view, the upcoming year or two will be positive for Bitcoin, although he acknowledged that market outcomes are never certain.
At last report, Bitcoin was trading up 1.21% in the previous 24 hours at $79,070, following a brief rise to $82,283 on September 3, 2026, signaling continued price strength as the market awaits further regulatory and technical developments.
