In a major strategic shift, Coinbase’s Layer-2 network, Base, is officially exploring the creation of a native token. The announcement, made during the “State of Base” livestream, marks a reversal from previous denials and has sparked widespread excitement in the crypto community.
Why the Change of Heart?
Jesse Pollak, Head of Protocols at Coinbase and creator of Base, revealed the news. He explained that the network is in the early stages of examining how a token could help further decentralize the chain and reward its growing community.
Pollak linked this new direction to evolving U.S. crypto policies under the Trump administration. He suggested a more relaxed regulatory environment could now make such a launch feasible. This focus on regulation is key, as Coinbase is currently challenging the SEC in court over deleted documents.
The Potential for a Massive Airdrop
Crucially, no specific details were released about the token’s timing, governance, or distribution. However, Pollak emphasized that Base intends to build the process transparently with full community involvement.
His comments immediately fueled speculation about a potential airdrop for early users, builders, and possibly even Coinbase shareholders. Many across crypto are now predicting it could become one of the biggest airdrops of 2025.
Strengthening Connectivity with a Solana Bridge
Alongside the token news, Base announced plans to build a new bridge to Solana. Pollak stated that this bridge is a crucial milestone for creating a truly interconnected global economy on-chain.
He positioned Base as an advocate for open connectivity, asserting that collaboration between chains is essential for crypto’s future. This move aims to strengthen the ecosystem for users of both networks.
Showcasing Rapid Ecosystem Growth
The livestream also highlighted Base’s impressive growth. Pollak showcased its strong performance in the NFT space, where it recently ranked third overall in trading volume.
He also reinforced Base’s key role in Ethereum’s scaling roadmap via the Superchain initiative. This project aims to unite multiple Layer-2 chains into a single, cohesive ecosystem.
The news already impacted the market, with several Base-linked tokens like $AVNT, $NOICE, and $ZKC surging in price. As Base continues to decentralize, Pollak concluded that user-centric design and regulatory alignment will remain its top priorities.