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Coinbase Global Inc. CEO Brian Armstrong shared advice for entrepreneurs, saying founders should pursue difficult problems instead of choosing safer, less ambitious business ideas.
Armstrong Urges Founders To Take On Hard Problems
On Wednesday, Armstrong shared startup advice in a post on X, saying many founders avoid complex problems because they believe easier ideas offer a better path to success.
“When starting a company, most people shy away from truly hard problems and go for base hits thinking it will be easier,” He wrote.
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He argued that the opposite approach can often create more opportunities because fewer entrepreneurs attempt difficult challenges.
“The opposite is true. Fewer people attempt the hard problems so there is less competition, and great people are more likely to join you on an impactful mission,” Armstrong said.
The Coinbase CEO advised founders, “Start with something you feel in your bones must be possible or different in the world, even if it’s not a business,” Armstrong wrote.
He added that entrepreneurs should break down their long-term goals into practical steps and identify early ways to generate revenue.
“Then work backwards from there toward what steps will be required, and see how you can get your first dollar of revenue on an early step which enables the broader vision,” Armstrong said.
When starting a company, most people shy away from truly hard problems and go for base hits thinking it will be easier.
The opposite is true. Fewer people attempt the hard problems so there is less competition, and great people are more likely to join you on an impactful…
— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) July 15, 2026
Trending: Avoid the #1 Investing Mistake: How Your ‘Safe’ Holdings Could Be Costing You Big Time
Top Business Leaders Share Startup Advice
Earlier, Investor Kevin O’Leary urged aspiring entrepreneurs to solve real customer problems and prove market demand before launching a business, saying success depends on execution, discipline and creating value.
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) founder Jeff Bezos advised founders to gain experience at a well-run company before starting their own ventures, arguing that learning core skills such as hiring and interviewing improves the odds of building a successful startup.
Billionaire investor Mark Cuban encouraged entrepreneurs to prioritize bootstrapping and customer acquisition over raising outside capital, warning that taking investor money too early could lead to unfavorable terms and significant ownership dilution.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock By Thrive Studios ID
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Building a resilient portfolio means thinking beyond a single asset or market trend. Economic cycles shift, sectors rise and fall, and no one investment performs well in every environment. That’s why many investors look to diversify with platforms that provide access to real estate, fixed-income opportunities, precious metals, and even self-directed retirement accounts. By spreading exposure across multiple asset classes, it becomes easier to manage risk, capture steady returns, and create long-term wealth that isn’t tied to the fortunes of just one company or industry.
Arrived
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Realberry
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FarmTogether
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Immersed
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Fundrise
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Mode Mobile
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EquityMultiple
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