Brian Armstrong’s spontaneous crypto shoutout triggers mass wins on Kalshi and Polymarket bets
Coinbase’s third-quarter earnings call ended on an unexpected note when CEO Brian Armstrong rattled off a string of crypto buzzwords — instantly resolving multiple prediction markets in favor of lucky traders.
As the call wrapped up, Armstrong suddenly said, “I just want to add here — Bitcoin, Ethereum, blockchain, staking, and Web3 — make sure we get those in before the end of the call.”
That off-the-cuff moment wasn’t just quirky — it had financial consequences. Two active prediction markets on Kalshi and Polymarket had been running bets on whether those exact words would be mentioned during Coinbase’s Q3 call. In an instant, Armstrong’s comment turned every market outcome into a “yes,” triggering payouts to dozens of traders.
According to market data, Kalshi users wagered over $80,000, while Polymarket users bet around $4,000 on whether Coinbase would use specific crypto-related terms. One Polymarket participant joked that Armstrong’s closing remarks were “the greatest rug in prediction market history — but in reverse.”
Armstrong later explained on X (formerly Twitter) that his decision was “spontaneous,” saying someone from Coinbase’s team had shared a link to the prediction markets during the call.
“It just came up at the end and we decided to have some fun,” Armstrong said, adding that no one at the company placed bets.
While the stunt amused many traders, it also reignited debates over market integrity. Prediction markets, often touted as tools for gauging real-world outcomes, rely heavily on trust — and the ability of participants to act without insider influence.
Despite the unusual finale, Coinbase posted strong Q3 results, reporting $1.9 billion in revenue — up 55% year-over-year — and $432.6 million in net income. The exchange also boosted its Bitcoin holdings by 2,772 BTC, bringing its total to 14,458 BTC, reclaiming a spot among the top 10 public corporate holders of Bitcoin.
Still, the buzzword incident shows how easily even a few spontaneous words can move digital prediction markets — a reminder that in crypto, every word can be worth money.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.