We assume high earners feel secure. Often they don't. "Looking wealthy" and "feeling secure" are two different things. If you're doing the 2am math despite a great income, you're not alone, and it's fixable.

1/4 of households earning $100K live paycheck to paycheck. Among those earning $300- $500K, it climbs to 41%. The problem was never income. It's the gap between what you earn and what you keep, and that gap is built from habits, not salary. bit.ly/4xgiJuY

By the time the next great company rings the opening bell, the fortune has already been made. Why the IPO stopped being the starting line: hubs.ly/Q04j_l2m0 #behindthevelvetrope #preipo @BlaiseStevens

This is an email I sent earlier today to all employees at Coinbase: Team, Today I’ve made the difficult decision to reduce the size of Coinbase by ~14%. I want to walk you through why we're doing this now, what it means for those affected, and how this positions us for the future. Why now Two forces are converging at the same time. We need to be front footed to respond to both. First, the market. Coinbase is well-capitalized, has diversified revenue streams, and is well-positioned to weather any storm. Crypto is also on the verge of the next wave of adoption, with stablecoins, prediction markets, tokenization, and more taking off. However, our business is still volatile from quarter to quarter. While we've managed through that cyclicality many times before and come out stronger on the other side, we’re currently in a down market and need to adjust our cost structure now so that we emerge from this period leaner, faster, and more efficient for our next phase of growth. Second, AI is changing how we work. Over the past year, I’ve watched engineers use AI to ship in days what used to take a team weeks. Non-technical teams are now shipping production code and many of our workflows are being automated. The pace of what's possible with a small, focused team has changed dramatically, and it's accelerating every day. All of this has led us to an inflection point, not just for Coinbase, but for every company. The biggest risk now is not taking action. We are adjusting early and deliberately to rebuild Coinbase to be lean, fast, and AI-native. We need to return to the speed and focus of our startup founding, with AI at our core. What this means To get there, we are not just reducing headcount and cutting costs, we’re fundamentally changing how we operate: rebuilding Coinbase as an intelligence, with humans around the edge aligning it. What does this mean in practice? - Fewer layers, faster decisions: We are flattening our org structure to 5 layers max below CEO/COO. Layers slow things down and create coordination tax. The future is small, high context teams that can move quickly. Leaders will own much more, with as many as 15 direct reports. Fewer layers also means a leaner cost structure that is built to perform through all market cycles. - No pure managers: Every leader at Coinbase must also be a strong and active individual contributor. Managers should be like player-coaches, getting their hands dirty alongside their teams. - AI-native pods: We’ll be concentrating around AI-native talent who can manage fleets of agents to drive outsized impact. We’ll also be experimenting with reduced pod sizes, including “one person teams” with engineers, designers, and product managers all in one role. In short: AI is bringing a profound shift in how companies operate, and we’re reshaping Coinbase to lead in this new era. This is a new way of working, and we need to leverage AI across every facet of our jobs. To those who are affected I know there are real people behind these decisions — talented colleagues who have poured themselves into this company and our mission. To those of you who will be leaving: thank you. You’ve helped build Coinbase into what it is today, and I am sincerely grateful for everything you've done. All impacted team members will receive an email to their personal account in the next hour with more information, and an invitation to meet with an HRBP and a senior leader in your organization. Coinbase system access has been removed today. I know this feels sudden and harsh, but it is the only responsible choice given our duty to protect customer information. To those affected, we will be providing a comprehensive package to support you through this transition. US employees will receive a minimum of 16 weeks base pay (plus 2 weeks per year worked), their next equity vest, and 6 months of COBRA. Employees on a work visa will get extra transition support. Those outside of the US will receive similar support, based on local factors and subject to any consultation requirements. Coinbase prides itself on talent density. Our employees are among the most talented people in the world, and I have no doubt that your skills and experience will be highly sought after as you pursue your next chapters. How we move forward To the team that is staying, I know this is a difficult day. We’re saying goodbye to colleagues and friends you've been in the trenches with. But here’s what I want you to know as we move forward together: Over the past 13 years, we have weathered four crypto winters, gone public, and built the most trusted platform in our industry. We’ve made it this far by making hard decisions and by always staying focused on our mission. This time will be no different – nothing has changed about the long term outlook of our company or industry. And most importantly, our mission has never been more important for the world. Increasing economic freedom requires a new financial system, and we’re building it. The Coinbase that emerges from this will be more capable than ever to achieve our mission. Brian

Volatility feels like a problem. But when you look at the data, it tells a different story. This quick infographic breaks it down in a way that’s easier to see than explain. #MarketVolatility #Investing #WealthManagement #FinancialPlanning #LongTermInvesting

It’s easy to stay confident when everything is going to plan. The real test is when things feel uncertain and doubt creeps in. That’s where outcomes are shaped by what you actually follow through on.

A strong financial plan isn’t about being right all the time. It’s about being prepared for what comes next. If your current plan hasn’t been pressure tested, it may be worth taking a closer look. bit.ly/3QmlutW

Imagine building wealth year after year, only to have a portion slowly chipped away in the background. That’s the reality of taxes on investments. The difference between a good strategy and a great one often comes down to what happens after taxes. bit.ly/3O4qfHT

It’s easy to feel like finances are a guessing game sometimes. Markets move. Headlines change. Emotions get involved. Without a plan, it can start to feel like you’re just hoping things work out. A good strategy takes the guesswork out of it. Let us help you build a better plan!

It’s easy to make short-term decisions when you’re living in the moment. That’s why having a plan matters. It keeps you moving toward the future you want, even when the day-to-day gets noisy. #FinancialPlanning #LongTermThinking #WealthStrategy #FinancialDecisions #FutureFocused

What if credit card interest rates were capped at 10%? Let's talk about the potential ripple effects of capping rates that currently average 20 to 25 percent. 2/3 of households carry credit card debt. Policy shifts matter. hubs.ly/Q0449chm0 #CreditCards #PersonalFinance

One of the most important financial lessons does not happen in a conference room. It happens at the kitchen table. In our new blog, Travis Beeson shares how involving his sons in his family’s budgeting process became one of the most meaningful lessons. hubs.ly/Q043C60T0

The real risk in growth is not moving too slowly. It is growing faster than your structure can support. If you have ever felt the weight of carrying everything yourself, this one is WORTH THE READ! hubs.ly/Q0431mxd0

Big idea. Big implications. Is this smart policy that expands ownership in America? Or just another headline with long-term consequences? Let's break down the data, the math, and what it could mean for families. hubs.ly/Q042VQwV0

California’s proposed Billionaires Tax is making national headlines & it didn't come from legislature or the governor. It came from a ballot initiative & it could reshape how wealth is taxed in the US. #InvestedInterestPodcast #Californiabillionairestax hubs.ly/Q042v16_0

Uncertainty has always been part of markets. Here's how a systematic, process-driven approach helps create consistency when conditions feel unclear. hubs.ly/Q041S_nr0

Today we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the power of this reminder. Today, and every day, may we choose dialogue over distance and understanding over fear.

Happiness is often a byproduct of purpose. When your life's strategy is built around usefulness, honor, and compassion, you create a legacy that truly matters—far beyond any financial statement. #PurposeDriven #MakeADifference #Legacy

True growth often comes through service. The greatest successes we experience are frequently achieved in partnership with others. Invest in the climb, and watch how far you rise by helping someone else. #Partnership #SharedSuccess #Community

now, let’s get rid of socialism at home.