Brian Armstrong, CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, responded to employee concerns on its lack of a stance on social justice issues. The company has opted to enforce a policy not to engage on matters “when issues are unrelated to our core mission.”

Why should we care?
By opting not to take a position on social justice issues, the company is going against the grain when compared to many others in the fintech industry who have expressed support for racial equality and the Black Lives Matter movement. Tensions at Coinbase came to a head this summer when some employees staged a walkout over the issue. Despite its position, Armstrong still says Coinbase is a “mission-driven company,” but the mission only applies to “creating infrastructure for the cryptoeconomy.” The company has offered severance packages to employees who wish to quit as a result of its position. Meanwhile, Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey critiqued Coinbase’s views, saying the crypto movement is about challenging exclusion in the financial system, and that it’s important to acknowledge other forms of injustice that affect customers.