Elon Musk’s X now lets US users follow Bitcoin Cashtags to Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini and other outside trading platforms.
The feature has prompted criticism over it being a glorified referral link.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has maintained that Bitcoin reaching $400,000 by 2030 is a “reasonable target.”
Elon Musk’s X has made it easier for US users to go from reading about Bitcoin to opening a trading platform — but the new feature has also drawn criticism for stopping short of letting people buy crypto directly on the app.
The platform’s newCashtag Partner Program adds a “Trade” option to supported pages, including Bitcoin’s $BTC ticker.
Users can view price data, a chart and posts related to an asset before choosing a participating broker or exchange.
The initial partners are Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, Interactive Brokers and Moomoo.
That puts a direct route to Coinbase beside the Bitcoin conversation on X — while Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is publicly backs a $400,000 BTC price by 2030.
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The rollout is limited to US users and covers stocks, ETFs and crypto.
Coinbase, Kraken and Gemini give users access to crypto markets, while Interactive Brokers and Moomoo offer wider brokerage services.
However, Musk’s X is not executing the transactions or holding customer assets itself.
Instead, selecting the Trade button sends a user to the chosen partner’s app or website, where they must complete the trade under that company’s normal account and verification rules.
“X is the best source of financial news for traders and investors, and we’ve made it easier than ever to connect financial conversations with the ability to trade,” X said in its announcement.
Introducing Cashtag Partners for stocks and crypto 🚀
X is the best source of financial news for traders and investors, and we've made it easier than ever to connect financial conversations with the ability to trade. pic.twitter.com/52cqDNqwix
The change effectively moves the point of discovery closer to the point of purchase.
Bitcoin, meme coins and stocks can all go viral on X within minutes, and the platform is now placing trading links directly alongside those discussions.
‘Glorified Banner Ad’ Criticism Hits Musk’s X Trade Button
Not everyone sees the Cashtag expansion as a major step toward Musk’s long-discussed “everything app.”
Critics have noted that users still leave X to make the trade.
One user, Packrip Ewing, dismissed the feature as a “glorified banner ad,” arguing that it works more like a referral funnel than native trading.
The rollout has been the target of criticism | Source: X (@PackripEwing)
“not being a hater, it’s just not that cool,” he added.
The company has also not said when the feature will expand beyond the US, leaving criticism on the table from disappointed global users.
Coinbase CEO Keeps $400K Bitcoin Target
One of the companies benefiting from Musk’s new Bitcoin traffic is Coinbase, whose chief executive has kept an extraordinary long-term forecast in place.
Armstrong argued that Bitcoin’s historic four-year cycles could support a recovery. He said the asset typically experiences a sharp rally, a period of euphoria and then a longer downturn.
“I personally believe that the bottom is in,” he added.
He also pointed to the next Bitcoin halving, expected around 2028, saying the market has historically gained momentum ahead of prior events.
Armstrong’s Regulatory Catalyst Has Already Stalled
Armstrong’s interview came shortly before the Senate’s anticipated vote on the CLARITY Act.
The Coinbase CEO had said the legislation could help unlock fresh institutional participation in crypto.
Instead, the Senate voted 49-50 on Sept. 15 against invoking cloture on the motion to proceed, leaving the bill stalled.
However, Armstrong argued that a failed vote would not necessarily leave the industry without new rules.
“We’re going to get regulatory clarity one way or another.”
He said the SEC and CFTC could pursue rulemaking and other measures using their existing authority.
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Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
