Brian Armstrong Speaking Fee: $50,000 to $75,000

Brian Armstrong is the co-founder and CEO of Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange platform that has played a pivotal role in bringing digital currencies into the mainstream. Born on January 25, 1983, in San Jose, California, Armstrong demonstrated an early aptitude for technology and entrepreneurship. He attended Rice University, earning dual bachelor's degrees in economics and computer science in 2005, followed by a master's degree in computer science in 2006. After completing his education, Armstrong worked as a developer for IBM and a consultant at Deloitte, gaining valuable experience in software development and enterprise risk management. In 2011, he joined Airbnb as a software engineer, where he was exposed to the challenges of international payments and the inefficiencies of traditional financial systems. This experience, combined with his discovery of Bitcoin in 2010, inspired him to explore the potential of cryptocurrency as a means to revolutionize global finance. In 2012, Armstrong co-founded Coinbase with Fred Ehrsam, aiming to create a user-friendly platform for buying, selling, and storing cryptocurrencies. The company quickly gained traction, securing a $150,000 investment from Y Combinator's startup accelerator program. Under Armstrong's leadership, Coinbase has grown to serve over 100 million verified users in more than 100 countries, offering a suite of products that make accessing cryptocurrencies easy and secure. In April 2021, Coinbase made history by becoming the first cryptocurrency platform to go public through a direct listing on the NASDAQ stock exchange. Beyond his role at Coinbase, Armstrong is committed to leveraging technology for social good. In 2018, he launched GiveCrypto.org, a nonprofit organization aimed at financially empowering individuals by distributing cryptocurrency globally. Later that year, he signed the Giving Pledge, committing to donate the majority of his wealth to charitable causes throughout his lifetime. Additionally, Armstrong co-founded NewLimit, a company focused on epigenetic reprogramming to increase human healthspan, and ResearchHub, a platform designed to accelerate scientific research by making research papers freely available to the public. Armstrong's contributions to the cryptocurrency industry and his philanthropic efforts have earned him recognition on various prestigious lists, including Forbes' "40 Under 40" and "Crypto Rich List." He continues to be a vocal advocate for the widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies and their potential to create a more open and inclusive financial system.