Coinbase Exploring Native Token for Base Network

Coinbase’s Ethereum Layer-2 network, Base, may soon introduce its own native token.

The announcement was made by Jesse Pollak, the creator of Base, during a live-streamed conference in Vermont.

The move marks a significant shift from Coinbase’s earlier position, where company representatives consistently denied any token plans for the network.

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Coinbase Clarifies: No Final Decision Yet

While Pollak’s remarks fueled speculation, Coinbase moved quickly to set expectations. In a blog post published on Monday, the Base team wrote that it has “no definitive plans to share at this time” regarding a token launch.

CEO Brian Armstrong echoed the message on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that the exploration phase is underway. He added that the decision remains far from final. For now, ETH remains the only gas token powering the Base network.

We’re exploring a Base network token.

It could be a great tool for accelerating decentralization and expanding creator and developer growth in the ecosystem.

To be clear, there are no definitive plans. We’re just updating our philosophy. As of now, we’re exploring it. https://t.co/BK3asbMpar

— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) September 15, 2025

But Why Now?

According to Pollak and his team, the original vision for Base focused on creating a secure, low-cost, and developer-friendly blockchain. That goal was achieved without the need for a native token.

However, as the project matures, leaders believe a token could open new doors. The team highlighted that a dedicated Base token could accelerate decentralization, attract more developers, and create fresh economic opportunities across the ecosystem.

Rising Competition in Layer-2 Ecosystems

The timing of the debate also reflects broader market dynamics. The Ink Foundation, backed by Kraken, recently unveiled plans to launch INK, a utility token for its own Layer 2 network. Both Base and Ink belong to Optimism’s “Superchain”, a collective of Ethereum scaling projects.

A token could help Base strengthen its position within this growing ecosystem, where competition among networks is intensifying.

Technical Milestones Build Momentum

Since launching in 2023, Base has not only grown in adoption but also achieved several technical breakthroughs. 

Pollak noted that the network now enables “sub-second, sub-cent transactions,” a critical step in making blockchain technology more practical for everyday use. Base also advanced to “Stage 1” of Vitalik Buterin’s framework for rollup decentralization, following the introduction of permissionless fault proofs.

These milestones suggest the project is moving toward greater security and autonomy, a foundation that could make a token launch more viable.

Balancing Innovation with Regulation

Coinbase has long faced scrutiny from regulators over exchange-related products, particularly tokens linked to trading platforms. 

Recognizing this, the Base team underscored its commitment to working with lawmakers and regulators before making any final decision. Regulatory resistance remains a challenge, but the company framed its approach as cautious yet optimistic, noting that policy attitudes toward crypto vary and continue to evolve.

Expanding Interoperability with Solana

In addition to token discussions, Pollak announced that Base will now connect more closely with Solana. Through an open-source bridge, users can deposit SOL and Solana Program Library (SPL) tokens into Base applications. They can also transfer assets back to Solana, creating new cross-chain use cases.

The move highlights Base’s effort to position itself not as an isolated blockchain, but as part of a broader, interconnected ecosystem. As Pollak put it, “Base is a bridge, not an island.”