Wonderhands

7x Business Owner. Advisor/Partner 19+ Ventures. Los Angeles. Mostly inactive on @x

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

Another one. Crazy. Makes 100% sense, but foreshadows the imminent collapse of working structure as we know it, everywhere, and the inevitable re-architecture of society, trade, and living.

[Brian Armstrong @brian_armstrong]

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

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

🙂‍↕️🙏🏼 Always, always a pleasure catching up with @christinelu

[🖤 Christine @christinelu]

🥯 First time at Courage Bagels. Good catching up with @Wonderhands!

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

@dachshundwizard @DragonKoiBoi @AzukiTCG big loot

[۟ @MINHxDYNASTY]

Lately I've obsessed over taking profit into real world assets. Watches, cars, experiences, bomb ass food.

Our digital lives are important, but some of us get too trapped online. It's a good reminder to log off sometimes and enjoy life's beauty.

Time is precious.

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

Looking forward to helping launch Homareya in Long Beach, CA this September

the newest concept by LA sushi OG Yoya Takahashi, of Hamasaku Santa Monica and Kodo Arts District, who is making the move away from sushi to kushiyaki (yakitori).

[City of Long Beach @LongBeachCity]

Congratulations Homareya! 🎉 The City is happy to #supportlocalbusinesses.🤝

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

@NFTea_Sammi Leo's 🫡 tfti

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

Heat. Personal favorite's: Water

[Zhangerator⌚️ @AZhangerator]

So here is my earth dial
- 2 year cooking
- full titanium
- serious watch brand with blue chip NFT
- 25 each unique guilloche patterns (watch companies loose money doing this R&D)
Proud to be part of it H.Moser X Azuki with @Zagabond
Elements of time @Azuki @AzukiWatchclub

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

@AZhangerator @Zagabond @Azuki @AzukiWatchclub This is crazy heat @AZhangerator. Nice work!!

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

@acollnft @RiceRiddler @vyvvyn @emilyrosemcg @DragonKoiBoi @dachshundwizard @BeyondTheBloc @jeegsjgz @CryptoTomYT @MINHxDYNASTY Back at you ❤️‍🔥 what a surprise. What a good night; so glad azuki threw the event and so many amazing people came through. let's catch up irl

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

🧵Was at Anime Expo for a day yesterday, and swung by here after

@Azuki remains undefeated with digital & IRL experiences

To the team: it must've been a lot of work--you all did such a good job 🫶🏻

& the community: special thanks below

Special thanks to @RiceRiddler

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

@NFTea_Sammi @Azuki @RiceRiddler Aw dang; I was around until 11:30/11:40 maybe. Smaller window so might've missed during that. Really would've liked to see you 💔 When's your next socal visit?

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

@MINHxDYNASTY @acollnft @RiceRiddler @vyvvyn @emilyrosemcg @DragonKoiBoi @dachshundwizard @BeyondTheBloc @jeegsjgz @CryptoTomYT Great seeing you, Minh ! Keep crushing 💪🏼

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

@RiceRiddler @Azuki Greeting each other by first name. That's real 💯. Great to see you last night, brother. Thanks for hosting & having me. Let's catch up sometime irl?

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

@NFTea_Sammi @Azuki @RiceRiddler nooooooooooooooo 😭💔 when did you get there?

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

@vyvvyn @Azuki @RiceRiddler yes, very! back at you. you transformed too! cut like a knife 💪🏼

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

@jeegsjgz @acollnft @RiceRiddler @vyvvyn @emilyrosemcg @DragonKoiBoi @dachshundwizard @BeyondTheBloc @CryptoTomYT @MINHxDYNASTY likewise back at you! lookin' suave with that nice shirt 😮‍💨👊🏻

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

@CryptoTomYT @acollnft @RiceRiddler @vyvvyn @emilyrosemcg @DragonKoiBoi @dachshundwizard @BeyondTheBloc @jeegsjgz @MINHxDYNASTY so nice bro! 💙🤘🏼

[Tama @0xTama_]

This is a long post, but a milestone in my life and I want to share it with you all my frens. I hope you can draw some inspiration from this as I have from all of you.

Two years ago, I took a janitor job at Contract Research Lab to provide financial stability while I chased my dream of becoming a Community Manager in web3.

I poured my heart into creating unique experiences at Canna Sapiens, planning and dreaming during my eight hour shifts. Scrubbing baseboards and cleaning toilets didn’t faze me knowing I’d clock out and dive into my web3 passion kept me going. I didn’t mind cleaning up messes because I was building something meaningful outside of work.

But something unexpected happened. My passion for leadership and inspiring others bled into my day job. I went above and beyond, not just cleaning but solving problems others couldn’t.

When lab ops deemed mechanical issues like the sinks pressure “unsolvable,” I rebuilt faucets and proved them wrong. When I saw something I did something, I asked for help when needed but I took initiative. I even advised our company president on bitcoin, sharing the history and significance of BTC from its inception.

No task was too small, no challenge too big I kept asking for more to do, taking on countless initiatives.
When I thought a full-time web3 opportunity was on the horizon, I put in my notice. The team at my company was genuinely sad to see me go. But when that opportunity fell through, I humbly returned, and my supervisor did something extraordinary. She encouraged me, a college dropout, the glorified janitor, to apply for a Sample Management Tech 1 role a position I thought I was not qualified for.

To my surprise, I got it, and I was told it was not because my references or my charm but through the respect I’d earned from leadership and colleagues alike. Throughly my hard work day in and day out in one the most unappreciated jobs in the world, I NEVER complained and always saw the brighter side of things.

My supervisor’s words will stay with me forever. She told me I have the best character traits any employer could ask for more integrity than most people will ever have in a lifetime. She said she is glad she is no longer supervising the janitorial staff because she’ll never find another like me.

I cried, overwhelmed by how seen and appreciated I felt, not just in words but in actions. That moment, and this promotion, showed me how far dedication and authenticity can take you. I thought sweat equity only mattered in web3 but it matters in life in general.

Starting Monday, I’ll dawn a lab coat and step into a dream I gave up long ago: working in a lab. I never imagined I’d be here, living a dream I thought was out of reach.

Reflecting on this journey, I’ve learned that dreams can change, and that’s okay. The incredible people I met in web3 taught me we all have the same 24 hours it’s up to us to make them count. You can chase multiple dreams, and sometimes, the unexpected ones become the most fulfilling.
I’m forever grateful to Alturas Analytics for believing in me and to the web3 community for showing me what’s possible. Forever humbled, forever inspired.

S/O to @Wonderhands @pineapplecetta @Colorsuper @Pons_ETH @PlatyMama_ @mariannehere @metacryptonian @NftProtege @bogan8888 @TrEbLeNoBaSs @MoarkyMoark @TTjewellerr @BerlinTheNug @swankyjohnx @clintsealwood @tmoneyyETH @NftRiles @FilipFinks @TBagginson @DanialNewz @agent64209 @NrthWestBound @robbiedawgiez
and so many more for believing in me during these past 4 years and encouraging to be more. I couldn't have done it with out you!

One dream down and a lifetime more to go 😊

Thank you @AlturasAnalytic and I hope you don't see this and see what i'm up to on the side jk 💚

[Wonderhands @Wonderhands]

@0xTama_ Happy to have played a part in the beginnings. Thanks for the recognition, and Congratulations, Tama. You earned it. 🫴🏼🤝🏼