Brian Armstrong, NFTs, and the UpOnly Show: A Crypto Comeback Story

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong's $25M NFT purchase revives the UpOnly podcast, signaling a bold move into blockchain-powered media and sparking memecoin frenzy.

Remember UpOnly? The crypto podcast that defined a bull run? Well, thanks to Brian Armstrong and a $25 million NFT, it's back! This isn't just a revival; it's a signal of how NFTs are reshaping media and creator incentives. Buckle up, because this story has it all: memecoins, bold bets, and a whole lot of crypto chaos.

The $25 Million Podcast Revival

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong confirmed he bought the UpOnly NFT from Cobie, a move that's bringing the podcast back after a three-year hiatus. This NFT wasn't just any digital collectible; it had a clause: burn it, and the show returns. Armstrong, never one to back down from a challenge (or maybe just a really expensive joke), did just that.

The purchase, verified on-chain, involved a cool 25 million USDC. It's one of the most expensive NFT transactions in crypto history, and it's now legally binding Cobie and Ledger to produce eight new episodes. Talk about a high-stakes commitment!

Memecoin Mania and Market Mayhem

Of course, no crypto story is complete without a little memecoin madness. Following the announcement, UpOnly-themed memecoins went wild. One token spiked 7,900% before correcting, while others saw similar volatility across different networks. It was a classic case of hype driving the market, proving that even a podcast revival can send the memecoin world into a frenzy.

Coinbase's Media Play

Beyond the podcast, Coinbase is making bigger moves. They acquired Cobie's Echo platform for $375 million. Echo is an on-chain capital-raising platform that has helped raise $140M+ from 9,000+ individuals across 340 deals. Coinbase plans to integrate it to support broader crypto token sales via Sonar and expand into tokenized securities and RWAs over time.

Armstrong's UpOnly NFT purchase transforms a joke into a real media commitment backed by blockchain. Now, Coinbase is positioning itself as a media stakeholder beyond just trading services. It's a bold step, blending crypto commentary with entertainment.

The Return of UpOnly: What to Expect

So, what's next for UpOnly? Expect the same raw, unfiltered crypto discussions that made the show popular in the first place. With Cobie and Ledger back at the helm, the new season promises to be a wild ride.

The first guest may be Hyperliquid founder Jeff, which will put Hyperliquid (and the HYPE token) in the limelight.

And hey, who knows? Maybe this is the spark that ignites the next bull run. Stranger things have happened in crypto!

In a world where a $25 million NFT can bring back a beloved podcast, anything is possible. Get ready for the return of UpOnly – it's going to be epic.