In a surprising turn of events, the deleted tweets of Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong have been recovered, leading to speculation and raising questions about the motives behind their removal. This development comes at a time when Coinbase is under regulatory scrutiny, adding an additional layer of complexity to the situation.

Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has recently faced concerns from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding its compliance with regulations and laws. The exchange has maintained that any violations were unintentional and a result of unclear regulatory guidance rather than deliberate attempts to circumvent the law.

The resurfacing of Armstrong’s deleted tweets was initiated by a pro-Bitcoin tweeter known as Pledditor, who sought to establish connections through other archival services to retrieve all of Armstrong’s removed posts. The focus was on tweets from 2015 to 2018, dubbed “spicy takes,” with verifiable archive links. This effort revealed a range of topics that Armstrong had previously discussed, including controversial opinions about the future of the cryptocurrency industry and Coinbase itself.

One notable tweet from 2015 highlighted Armstrong’s support for increasing the block size of Bitcoin, a position he reiterated when announcing Coinbase’s use of BitcoinXT, a controversial version of the cryptocurrency. In subsequent tweets, Armstrong expressed frustration with the backlash from the community regarding Coinbase’s stance on the block size debate.

Another tweet from August 2017 boasted about diversity and inclusion at Coinbase. However, a 2020 report by The New York Times exposed internal complaints of discriminatory treatment within the company, with employees expressing concerns about exclusion from meetings and conversations before ultimately leaving the firm.

In December 2017, just before Coinbase engineer Charlie Lee announced the sale of all his Litecoin, Armstrong tweeted about Coinbase’s employee trading policy. It is worth noting that a Coinbase Product Manager was recently charged with insider trading related to Coinbase’s listing process.

Armstrong’s tweets also touched on specific cryptocurrency listings and events. He enthusiastically shared a 4% Ethereum price pump after it was listed on Coinbase, using emojis and exuberant language. In another tweet, Armstrong mentioned claims about Tether’s lack of full collateralization while promoting USDC, despite Coinbase eventually listing USDT. Ironically, both USDC and its issuers, Signature Bank and Silicon Valley Bank, faced issues.

The recovery of Armstrong’s deleted tweets has led to speculation about the motives behind their removal. Some observers suggest that Armstrong may have deleted the tweets to mitigate potential abuse or misinterpretation of his earlier statements, particularly in light of the ongoing regulatory scrutiny faced by Coinbase. However, Armstrong has not publicly disclosed the reasons behind the extensive deletion.

This pattern of crypto CEOs deleting controversial tweets is not unique to Armstrong. Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and Justin Sun, founder of the Poloniex exchange, have also removed tweets in the past. These actions raise questions about the accountability and transparency of crypto industry leaders and their responsibility in their public communications.

As Coinbase navigates the challenges of regulatory scrutiny, the recovery of Armstrong’s deleted tweets adds a layer of complexity to the situation. It highlights the need for greater clarity in regulatory compliance and responsible communication from crypto CEOs. The actions and statements of industry leaders have far-reaching implications, impacting the perception of the industry as a whole.

Investors and users are advised to exercise caution and conduct independent research before making any investment decisions in the cryptocurrency market. It is crucial to seek professional advice and stay informed about regulatory developments to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.

In the face of ongoing regulatory scrutiny, the recovery of deleted tweets serves as a reminder that public statements, even if deleted, can resurface and have lasting consequences. The cryptocurrency industry, including its CEOs and leaders, must prioritize transparency, accountability, and responsible communication to foster trust and legitimacy in the eyes of regulators and the public.