- Coinbase AI code share rose from just 40% in February to near 100% by July 2026.
- AI agents at Coinbase collectively do the coding work of around 1,200 employees.
- Coinbase cut 700 jobs in May, with junior developer roles disproportionately hit.
Artificial intelligence now assists in writing between 95% and 100% of Coinbase’s code, a figure that has more than doubled from the 40% the company reported in February, according to Rob Witoff, Coinbase’s head of platform.
From 40% to Nearly 100% in Six Months
In February, Coinbase said AI was involved in writing 40% of its code. By July, that figure had climbed to somewhere between 95% and 100%, with large language models now involved in virtually every line of code the company produces.
“Effectively, 100% of our employees are using AI on a daily basis here,” Witoff said. “And close to 100% of our code, probably somewhere between 95% and 100%, is written by or with LLMs today.”
Not All Code Is Created Equal
Witoff was careful to distinguish between different categories of work. Core cryptography remains heavily human-driven, with industry-leading cryptographers reviewing code one line at a time. Internal prototypes, on the other hand, are now fully automated. Core production systems sit somewhere in the middle, with AI used extensively for testing, vulnerability checks, and mathematical verification, even where humans retain final control over what gets written.
Smaller Teams, More Senior People
The transformation has reshaped how Coinbase organizes its workforce. Two or three engineers can now handle what previously required ten or more people, allowing the company to restructure around smaller, more experienced teams. Witoff described the ideal profile as people with battle scars, experienced enough to point AI agents in the right direction and judge whether the output meets the required standard.
Most Coinbase engineers now run five to ten AI agents simultaneously. Collectively, those agents are doing the coding work equivalent to approximately 1,200 human employees. Witoff said that by 2030, AI agents at Coinbase could be performing work equivalent to 100,000 employees.
Layoff Context
The figures sit alongside Coinbase’s decision in May to cut 700 staff, representing 14% of its workforce. Witoff confirmed that junior development roles were disproportionately affected, though the cuts also touched marketing, legal, customer support, and compliance.
Coinbase is not alone. Crypto.com cut 12% of its staff in March, citing AI-driven restructuring. Block CEO Jack Dorsey cut 40% of his workforce in February. Kraken, Gemini, Messari, and Dune all cited AI efficiencies in their own layoffs this year.
Related: Coinbase Secures UK MiFID License to Expand Trading Beyond Crypto
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Coin Edition is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the utilization of content, products, or services mentioned. Readers are advised to exercise caution before taking any action related to the company.
