On Thursday, at the end of Coinbase’s third quarter earnings call, CEO Brian Armstrong admitted that he was “a little bit distracted,” because he’d been “tracking the prediction market about what Coinbase will say on their next earnings call.”
“And I just want to add here the words Bitcoin, Ethereum, Blockchain, Staking, and Web3 to make sure we get those in before the end of the call,” Armstrong added.
Why blurt those out without any apparent context? As Armstrong hinted, they were words that users on “mention markets” on Kalshi and Polymarket had wagered would be spoken on the call. So by speaking the words, Armstrong was allowing some of those bets to pay off.
Bloomberg reports that while mention markets remain a relatively niche part of prediction markets, a total of $84,000 had been bet on whether certain words would be spoken on the cryptocurrency company’s call. And while Armstrong may have helped some Kalshi and Polymarket users make a little money, he was also illustrating how easily these markets can be manipulated when executives become aware of them.
In fact, Jeff Dorman, CIO at digital assets investment firm Arca, wrote on X that “you need your head examined if you think it’s cute or clever or savvy that the CEO of the biggest company in this industry openly manipulated a market.”
“It’s not fun working tirelessly for 8 years trying to educate institutional investors on the value of crypto investing as an investable asset class, and working to help them gain comfort in this industry, while one of the supposed ‘leaders’ openly mocks the industry with crap like this,” Dorman said.
Polymarket, meanwhile, posted that Armstrong’s comments were “diabolical work.”
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Coinbase is moving into supporting prediction markets itself through its Everything Exchange, which Armstrong touted on the earnings call, and the company has also invested in Kalshi and Polymarket. A Coinbase spokesperson told Bloomberg that the company prohibits employees from participating in prediction markets or related activity around the company.
After Armstrong’s remarks began drawing attention, he wrote on X, “lol this was fun – happened spontaneously when someone on our team dropped a link in the chat.”
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![Volkswagen Thinks Your E-Bike Needs a Pair of Smart Glasses
Volkswagen is bringing some high-tech car features to a new line of electric bikes, including an optional pair of smart glasses. The German automaker recently unveiled two premium Volkswagen-branded e-bikes developed by n+, a bike company that has previously partnered with Mercedes-AMG’s Formula 1 team. © Volkswagen The companies say the bikes were designed with the same “safety-first philosophy” as a modern passenger vehicle and come packed with tech more commonly found in cars like radar, a rearview camera, blind-spot alerts and turn signals. These e-bikes arrive as automakers and startups are showing growing interest in smaller and cheaper electric vehicles designed for shorter trips. But Volkswagen’s smart bikes are surprisingly loaded with more safety features than many of the alternatives.
The bikes’ main feature is the Smart View system, which pairs a rear-facing camera with a screen mounted between the bikes’ handlebars. It also uses radar to provide blind-spot alerts, helping riders to stay aware of approaching traffic without having to take their eyes off the road.
© Volkswagen The bikes also feature an LED strip integrated into the frame’s top tube that acts as a high-visibility daytime running light. It glows red when the rider brakes and amber to signal a turn. Beyond those standard features, Volkswagen and n+ are also offering some optional safety gear. The first is a smart helmet that connects to the bike over Bluetooth and uses high-visibility LEDs that synched to the bike’s brake and turn signals. The helmet also includes a built-in accelerometer that can detect a possible crash and automatically send a text message to the rider’s emergency contacts.
And finally, riders can grab a pair of smart glasses with a heads-up display that puts navigation directions, blind-spot warnings, and other ride information directly within their field of vision. © Volkswagen “[T]echnologies like these are most commonly known from the automotive world. Seeing them make their way onto an e-bike demonstrates how technologies can evolve and be adapted in meaningful ways,” said Peter Jost, CEO of Volkswagen Accessories, Lifestyle & Licenses, in a press release. The smart e-bikes come in two models. The Sport model is designed with agility in mind, while the Crossover model is built for comfort and includes a rear cargo tray. Both bikes offer pedal assistance up to 25 kilometers per hour (about 15.5 mph) and have a maximum estimated range of 160 kilometers (99 miles). The actual range will vary depending on factors like terrain, wind, tire pressure, and rider weight. Battery extenders are available for both models
The Sport model starts at ,999, while the Crossover starts at ,349. The optional smart helmet costs 9, and the smart glasses will set customers back another 9. #Volkswagen #Thinks #EBike #Pair #Smart #Glassese-bikes,smart glasses,Volkswagen](https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2026/07/volkswagen-smart-bike.jpeg "Volkswagen Thinks Your E-Bike Needs a Pair of Smart Glasses
Volkswagen is bringing some high-tech car features to a new line of electric bikes, including an optional pair of smart glasses. The German automaker recently unveiled two premium Volkswagen-branded e-bikes developed by n+, a bike company that has previously partnered with Mercedes-AMG’s Formula 1 team. © Volkswagen The companies say the bikes were designed with the same “safety-first philosophy” as a modern passenger vehicle and come packed with tech more commonly found in cars like radar, a rearview camera, blind-spot alerts and turn signals. These e-bikes arrive as automakers and startups are showing growing interest in smaller and cheaper electric vehicles designed for shorter trips. But Volkswagen’s smart bikes are surprisingly loaded with more safety features than many of the alternatives.
The bikes’ main feature is the Smart View system, which pairs a rear-facing camera with a screen mounted between the bikes’ handlebars. It also uses radar to provide blind-spot alerts, helping riders to stay aware of approaching traffic without having to take their eyes off the road.
© Volkswagen The bikes also feature an LED strip integrated into the frame’s top tube that acts as a high-visibility daytime running light. It glows red when the rider brakes and amber to signal a turn. Beyond those standard features, Volkswagen and n+ are also offering some optional safety gear. The first is a smart helmet that connects to the bike over Bluetooth and uses high-visibility LEDs that synched to the bike’s brake and turn signals. The helmet also includes a built-in accelerometer that can detect a possible crash and automatically send a text message to the rider’s emergency contacts.
And finally, riders can grab a pair of smart glasses with a heads-up display that puts navigation directions, blind-spot warnings, and other ride information directly within their field of vision. © Volkswagen “[T]echnologies like these are most commonly known from the automotive world. Seeing them make their way onto an e-bike demonstrates how technologies can evolve and be adapted in meaningful ways,” said Peter Jost, CEO of Volkswagen Accessories, Lifestyle & Licenses, in a press release. The smart e-bikes come in two models. The Sport model is designed with agility in mind, while the Crossover model is built for comfort and includes a rear cargo tray. Both bikes offer pedal assistance up to 25 kilometers per hour (about 15.5 mph) and have a maximum estimated range of 160 kilometers (99 miles). The actual range will vary depending on factors like terrain, wind, tire pressure, and rider weight. Battery extenders are available for both models
The Sport model starts at ,999, while the Crossover starts at ,349. The optional smart helmet costs 9, and the smart glasses will set customers back another 9. #Volkswagen #Thinks #EBike #Pair #Smart #Glassese-bikes,smart glasses,Volkswagen")
![Volkswagen Thinks Your E-Bike Needs a Pair of Smart Glasses
Volkswagen is bringing some high-tech car features to a new line of electric bikes, including an optional pair of smart glasses. The German automaker recently unveiled two premium Volkswagen-branded e-bikes developed by n+, a bike company that has previously partnered with Mercedes-AMG’s Formula 1 team. © Volkswagen The companies say the bikes were designed with the same “safety-first philosophy” as a modern passenger vehicle and come packed with tech more commonly found in cars like radar, a rearview camera, blind-spot alerts and turn signals. These e-bikes arrive as automakers and startups are showing growing interest in smaller and cheaper electric vehicles designed for shorter trips. But Volkswagen’s smart bikes are surprisingly loaded with more safety features than many of the alternatives.
The bikes’ main feature is the Smart View system, which pairs a rear-facing camera with a screen mounted between the bikes’ handlebars. It also uses radar to provide blind-spot alerts, helping riders to stay aware of approaching traffic without having to take their eyes off the road.
© Volkswagen The bikes also feature an LED strip integrated into the frame’s top tube that acts as a high-visibility daytime running light. It glows red when the rider brakes and amber to signal a turn. Beyond those standard features, Volkswagen and n+ are also offering some optional safety gear. The first is a smart helmet that connects to the bike over Bluetooth and uses high-visibility LEDs that synched to the bike’s brake and turn signals. The helmet also includes a built-in accelerometer that can detect a possible crash and automatically send a text message to the rider’s emergency contacts.
And finally, riders can grab a pair of smart glasses with a heads-up display that puts navigation directions, blind-spot warnings, and other ride information directly within their field of vision. © Volkswagen “[T]echnologies like these are most commonly known from the automotive world. Seeing them make their way onto an e-bike demonstrates how technologies can evolve and be adapted in meaningful ways,” said Peter Jost, CEO of Volkswagen Accessories, Lifestyle & Licenses, in a press release. The smart e-bikes come in two models. The Sport model is designed with agility in mind, while the Crossover model is built for comfort and includes a rear cargo tray. Both bikes offer pedal assistance up to 25 kilometers per hour (about 15.5 mph) and have a maximum estimated range of 160 kilometers (99 miles). The actual range will vary depending on factors like terrain, wind, tire pressure, and rider weight. Battery extenders are available for both models
The Sport model starts at ,999, while the Crossover starts at ,349. The optional smart helmet costs 9, and the smart glasses will set customers back another 9. #Volkswagen #Thinks #EBike #Pair #Smart #Glassese-bikes,smart glasses,Volkswagen](https://i1.wp.com/gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2026/07/volkswagen-smart-bike.jpeg?ssl=1 "Volkswagen Thinks Your E-Bike Needs a Pair of Smart Glasses
Volkswagen is bringing some high-tech car features to a new line of electric bikes, including an optional pair of smart glasses. The German automaker recently unveiled two premium Volkswagen-branded e-bikes developed by n+, a bike company that has previously partnered with Mercedes-AMG’s Formula 1 team. © Volkswagen The companies say the bikes were designed with the same “safety-first philosophy” as a modern passenger vehicle and come packed with tech more commonly found in cars like radar, a rearview camera, blind-spot alerts and turn signals. These e-bikes arrive as automakers and startups are showing growing interest in smaller and cheaper electric vehicles designed for shorter trips. But Volkswagen’s smart bikes are surprisingly loaded with more safety features than many of the alternatives.
The bikes’ main feature is the Smart View system, which pairs a rear-facing camera with a screen mounted between the bikes’ handlebars. It also uses radar to provide blind-spot alerts, helping riders to stay aware of approaching traffic without having to take their eyes off the road.
© Volkswagen The bikes also feature an LED strip integrated into the frame’s top tube that acts as a high-visibility daytime running light. It glows red when the rider brakes and amber to signal a turn. Beyond those standard features, Volkswagen and n+ are also offering some optional safety gear. The first is a smart helmet that connects to the bike over Bluetooth and uses high-visibility LEDs that synched to the bike’s brake and turn signals. The helmet also includes a built-in accelerometer that can detect a possible crash and automatically send a text message to the rider’s emergency contacts.
And finally, riders can grab a pair of smart glasses with a heads-up display that puts navigation directions, blind-spot warnings, and other ride information directly within their field of vision. © Volkswagen “[T]echnologies like these are most commonly known from the automotive world. Seeing them make their way onto an e-bike demonstrates how technologies can evolve and be adapted in meaningful ways,” said Peter Jost, CEO of Volkswagen Accessories, Lifestyle & Licenses, in a press release. The smart e-bikes come in two models. The Sport model is designed with agility in mind, while the Crossover model is built for comfort and includes a rear cargo tray. Both bikes offer pedal assistance up to 25 kilometers per hour (about 15.5 mph) and have a maximum estimated range of 160 kilometers (99 miles). The actual range will vary depending on factors like terrain, wind, tire pressure, and rider weight. Battery extenders are available for both models
The Sport model starts at ,999, while the Crossover starts at ,349. The optional smart helmet costs 9, and the smart glasses will set customers back another 9. #Volkswagen #Thinks #EBike #Pair #Smart #Glassese-bikes,smart glasses,Volkswagen")
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