Brian Armstrong Taps Ex-DOGE Staff to Help Build Coinbase’s Future

On May 13, Armstrong shared a video clip in a post on X featuring Ethan Shaotran, a 22-year-old former DOGE staffer who left Harvard to join the agency.

In the video, Shaotran said it led to strained friendships and criticism on campus. "Most of the campus hates me", he said. He also mentioned that DOGE’s work was important and needed, despite the backlash.

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According to Shaotran, the team often worked late into the night, seven days a week, with no weekends off. He felt that the experience he gained at DOGE was more valuable than what he would have learned by staying in school to study computer science.

Rather than just resharing the video, Armstrong encouraged anyone who had worked at DOGE to consider taking part in Coinbase’s mission to improve financial systems.

He included a link to a short application form. The message on the form read, "If your last mission is complete, let’s talk about what you can build next". Additionally, Armstrong noted:

If you are looking for your next mission after serving your country, consider helping create a more efficient financial system for the world.

On May 6, Coinbase introduced a new payment tool called x402. What is it used for? Read the full story.