CoinDesk Podcast Network Armstrong Clashes With Central Banker at Davos as Senate Delays Bill | CoinDesk Daily
Jan 22, 2026
At Davos, Brian Armstrong clashed with the Bank of France governor over Bitcoin's independence, advocating for a 'Bitcoin Standard.' Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate postponed discussions on crypto regulations after Coinbase withdrew support. In a twist, discussions emerged about using crypto as the currency for AI agents. BlackRock's growing interest in Bitcoin and Ethereum's potential in tokenization was also spotlighted, framing tokenization as essential infrastructure for the future of finance.
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Davos Debate Reveals Monetary Rift
- The Davos panel turned into a philosophical clash over tokenization, stablecoin yields and monetary futures.
- Debates between industry leaders and central bankers highlight deep unresolved questions about money's future.
Bitcoin As A Check On Government Spending
- Brian Armstrong argued for a Bitcoin standard as a check on government overspending and emphasized Bitcoin's independence.
- He corrected Bank of France Governor François Villeroy de Galhau by noting Bitcoin has no issuer and is more independent than any central bank.
Watch Evolving Crypto Legislation Closely
- Expect U.S. crypto legislation to shift as key players withdraw support and committees delay markups.
- Monitor the Senate and Agriculture Committee actions and avoid assuming any single bill will pass unchanged.