Coinbase CEO Under Scrutiny for Potential Conflict of Interest Amid RSC Token Listing

The listing of the RSC token from ResearchHub on Coinbase has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to the connection of the platform’s CEO, [Brian Armstrong](https://forklog.com/cryptorium/ot-programmista-do-kriptomilliardera-kto-takoj-brajan-armstrong), with the project. This was reported by [The Block](https://www.theblock.co/post/365011/coinbase-lists-researchcoin-price-jump-brian-armstrong).

ResearchHub markets itself as the «GitHub for scientists.» The platform enables users to publish research papers, discuss findings, and earn rewards in RSC tokens. Armstrong is one of the co-founders of this initiative.

In 2023, the startup [raised](https://www.researchhub.com/post/979/researchhub-raises-5m-to-help-scientists-monetize-their-research) $5 million, led by Open Source Software Capital, with additional participation from Boost VC, which [invested](https://x.com/ResearchHub/status/1892259384790540638) an extra $2 million in ResearchHub.

On July 25, 2025, Coinbase [announced](https://x.com/CoinbaseAssets/status/1948776453522252209) its plans to list the RSC token. Users began to wonder why this had not happened sooner.

«It’s interesting that Brian Armstrong is adding his own coin so late,» commented a user with the handle Rich.

Following the listing, the price of the cryptocurrency, launched in 2022, surged by 15%, according to [CoinGecko](https://www.coingecko.com/ru/%D0%9A%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BF%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%8E%D1%82%D1%8B/researchcoin). At the time of writing, RSC is trading at $0.74 with a market capitalization of $85.3 million.

Coinbase and its founder quickly refuted the claims of conflict of interest, stating that they consider ResearchHub an independent research organization. Armstrong emphasized that he does not participate in the evaluation or approval of assets for listing on the platform.

«All assets that are listed on Coinbase undergo review by our Digital Asset Support Group (DASG). This group assesses each token regarding legal compliance and cybersecurity standards. I am not a member and do not have a vote in the listing approvals,» noted the exchange’s CEO.

He also mentioned that he disclosed his connection to ResearchHub to the Coinbase board, in line with standard practices. He stated that the RSC token is developed by the ResearchHub Foundation, which uses it to reward its community.

Nevertheless, users remained unconvinced and continued to raise concerns about a conflict of interest.

«Isn’t DASG part of Coinbase and ultimately accountable to the CEO? How is this not a conflict of interest? And honestly, does this post seem more like a promotion for RSC or an explanation of the lack of conflict of interest?» questioned a user known as Kostas Papapaschalis.

Armstrong also referred to his [Medium post](https://barmstrong.medium.com/update-on-researchhub-and-researchcoin-4029941647b8) from March 2022, in which he publicly committed not to sell RSC for four years.

«If Coinbase or any other platform lists the ResearchCoin token, its value could likely fluctuate. Due to its limited supply, the coin may exhibit high volatility or reach values that do not reflect its true worth,» he wrote.

The executive reiterated that his commitment still stands, with just a few months remaining until its expiration.

Recall that in January 2025, the CEO of Coinbase [proposed](https://forklog.com/news/ceo-coinbase-predlozhil-novyj-podhod-k-listingu-tokenov) a new approach to token listings, stating that 1 million coins are created every week, and assessing each one individually is «not practical.»