Business Insider spoke with 11 Coinbase insiders who had direct dealings with CEO and cofounder Brian Armstrong to determine what it’s like to work at Coinbase and for him.
Sources described an intense executive. They also detail awkward social interactions and miscalculations on how his communications would be received.
As Coinbase reportedly prepares for an IPO, Armstrong put himself in the spotlight for declaring his company would be “apolitical.” Around 5% of his company subsequently resigned, including some leaders.
This, and incidents that preceded it, led the tech industry to wonder: Is Armstrong a savvy leader or an insensitive one?