Crypto community figures suggested that Coinbase’s sponsorship of the U.S Army’s June 2025 parade was a calculated decision to strengthen its relationship with the U.S. government, even if it alienated segments of the crypto community.

Quotes that support claims

"The thing about Coinbase sponsoring the military is that [Crypto Twitter] hates it, Coinbase surely knew [they] would hate it, and Coinbase didn’t really care because the government is far more important to it than crypto thinkbois," David Phelps, a crypto founder and investor, said on X.

Others argue that the sponsorship wasn’t a tone deaf blunder but a calculated move by a company looking out for its bottom line.