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Retail investors appear to be holding their ground through the latest wave of crypto market volatility, according to new data shared by Brian Armstrong, chief executive of Coinbase.
The exchange says many individual users have continued accumulating major cryptocurrencies despite price swings, a trend Armstrong described as evidence of “diamond hands.”
The remarks arrive at a time when digital asset markets remain uncertain, shaped by macroeconomic pressure, regulatory developments, and leveraged trading activity. While prices have fluctuated sharply, Coinbase’s internal metrics suggest retail traders are behaving differently compared to previous downturns.
Armstrong said platform data shows most retail customers now hold equal or greater amounts of Bitcoin and Ethereum than they did in December 2025. The figures track “native units,” meaning the number of coins held rather than their dollar value, indicating accumulation even as prices moved lower.
Bitcoin recently traded near $68,500, while Ethereum hovered around the $2,000 level after a period of declines and rebounds. According to Coinbase, many users responded to the pullback by adding to their positions rather than exiting the market.
The trend contrasts with earlier crypto cycles, when retail investors were often seen selling during sharp corrections. Analysts note that steady spot buying from smaller investors can help counterbalance volatility driven by derivatives markets, where leveraged positions frequently amplify price swings through liquidations.
Coinbase also reported that retail accumulation contributed to renewed activity on the platform, with its stock rising in recent sessions alongside increased trading interest in the two largest cryptocurrencies.
Armstrong’s praise for retail resilience has coincided with scrutiny over his own share sales. Regulatory filings show the CEO has sold more than $550 million worth of Coinbase stock between April 2025 and January 2026, including transactions exceeding $100 million in recent months.
The sales were executed under a prearranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, a mechanism commonly used by public-company executives to schedule stock disposals in advance.
Supporters argue that such plans are standard financial management tools, while critics say the scale of the sales sends mixed signals, encouraging retail investors to hold through volatility.
Similarly, Coinbase continues to navigate broader challenges, including regulatory disputes tied to new product expansions such as prediction markets in several U.S. states.
Market analysts say sustained retail accumulation could play a stabilizing role if macro conditions improve. Historically, periods where smaller investors continue buying during downturns have sometimes preceded recovery phases in crypto cycles.
However, sentiment remains sensitive to interest rate expectations, geopolitical risks, and institutional flows. For Coinbase, the combination of strong retail engagement and ongoing insider selling highlights the complex balance between leadership messaging, investor perception, and market performance in a volatile environment.
Cover image from ChatGPT, BTCUSD chart from Tradingview
