Coinbase now uses artificial intelligence to write or review close to 100% of its code, according to Rob Witoff, the company's head of platform. Witoff told Cointelegraph the share is between 95% and 100%, marking a sharp increase from February when AI was involved in roughly 40% of code. The disclosure follows Coinbase's May restructuring that cut about 14% of its workforce, with CEO Brian Armstrong stating AI had dramatically changed how work gets done. The adoption level represents one of the most aggressive AI integration claims from a major publicly listed crypto company, signaling a shift from experimental productivity tool to core operating model at one of the largest crypto exchanges in the United States.
Coinbase Implements AI Across Code Development and Testing
Witoff said AI use is now effectively universal across the company, with employees using AI tools daily. The metric refers to code written by or with large language models, meaning AI may be used for drafting, refactoring, testing, reviewing, debugging or generating boilerplate, while engineers remain responsible for oversight and deployment.
Witoff acknowledged that AI use varies by context. For sensitive areas such as cryptography and core security, human oversight remains central. In lower-risk areas, AI can accelerate prototyping and routine development. The company is also using AI to test whether code behaves correctly and to help identify vulnerabilities.
Coinbase operates trading systems, custody infrastructure, wallets, compliance tools and blockchain integrations. The company has been reorganizing around smaller teams, fewer management layers and more AI-native workflows.
Coinbase Links AI Adoption to May Workforce Restructuring
The company's May layoffs affected roughly 700 workers, representing about 14% of its workforce. Armstrong said at the time that Coinbase needed to return to the speed and focus of its startup years with AI at its core. He also said engineers were using AI to accomplish in days what previously took teams weeks.
The acceleration from 40% to nearly all code in a matter of months shows how quickly engineering organizations are adapting to generative AI. Coinbase's adoption mirrors a wider technology-sector trend in which companies are using coding assistants and software agents to reduce development cycles, automate repetitive work and allow smaller teams to ship products faster.
Crypto Infrastructure Companies Redesign Development Around AI
Digital-asset companies operate in a fast-moving environment where exchanges, wallets, blockchains and compliance systems must adapt quickly. Coinbase's claim that 95% to 100% of code is now AI-assisted is a signal that major crypto infrastructure companies are redesigning software development around AI.
For investors, Coinbase's AI adoption may support the case for higher operating leverage. If the company can build and maintain products with fewer employees, it could improve margins and speed up product development. For regulators and customers, the question is whether automation can be balanced with strong controls, auditability and accountability.
FAQ
What percentage of Coinbase code is now AI-assisted?
Rob Witoff, Coinbase's head of platform, stated that between 95% and 100% of the company's code is now written by or with large language models. This represents an increase from roughly 40% in February.
How many employees did Coinbase cut in May?
Coinbase cut about 14% of its workforce in May, affecting roughly 700 workers. CEO Brian Armstrong said at the time that AI had dramatically changed how work gets done and that the company needed to become leaner and faster.
How does Coinbase use AI differently for sensitive code areas?
Witoff acknowledged that AI use varies by context. For sensitive areas such as cryptography and core security, human oversight remains central. In lower-risk areas, AI can accelerate prototyping and routine development.
