Coinbase AI Alert Mistakenly Predicts Norway’s World Cup Win Before Kickoff

Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN) mistakenly sent users a “breaking news” notification announcing that Norway had defeated Brazil 3-2 in a FIFA World Cup knockout match before the game had even begun, sparking confusion and criticism across social media.

The erroneous alert claimed Norwegian striker Erling Haaland scored twice in the match at MetLife Stadium. However, Coinbase’s own prediction market page still showed the game as delayed due to weather when the notification was delivered. According to screenshots shared by users on X, the alert was sent at approximately 10:26 a.m. ET, while kickoff did not occur until 4:00 p.m. ET.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong responded to one of the posts, saying he was investigating the issue with the team. The company later acknowledged the mistake and confirmed that the incorrect notification had been corrected.

Max Branzburg, Coinbase’s head of consumer and business products, explained that the error stemmed from the company’s AI-powered news capabilities. He said Coinbase has already implemented updates designed to prevent similar inaccuracies in the future.

Branzburg added that while AI offers powerful 24/7 insights for traders, the technology still requires refinement to ensure the accuracy of real-time information.

Ironically, the final outcome closely resembled the mistaken notification. Norway ultimately defeated Brazil 2-1, with Haaland scoring both goals, though the scoreline and timing reported in the alert were incorrect.

The incident comes as Coinbase continues expanding its presence in the prediction markets sector. In January, the cryptocurrency exchange launched prediction markets for U.S. users through Kalshi, allowing customers to trade contracts tied to sporting events, elections, economic indicators, and other real-world outcomes.

The mistaken alert also arrives as Coinbase advances its vision of becoming an “everything exchange.” In recent months, the company has expanded its platform with stock options, pre-IPO markets, prediction markets, and an AI-powered adviser, aiming to create a single destination for trading and broader financial services.