Coinbase’s Base network might soon have a native token. Jesse Pollak, the founder of Base, brought it up at the recent BaseCamp event. He said they’re exploring the idea, but nothing has been finalized yet. There’s no official timeline or design, just open discussion. That’s a noticeable change from earlier, when Coinbase had said there were no plans for a token.
Why the Token Is Being Considered
The main reason for thinking about a token is to help Base grow. Pollak explained that the goal is to give the community more power over how the network develops. A token could be used to encourage more developers and users to get involved. It would also fit into Base’s wider vision of being a decentralized layer built on Ethereum, since any token would be native to that chain.
Base is beginning to explore a network token
We’re in the early phases of exploration, and don’t have any specifics to share around timing, design, or governance. We’re committed to bringing the community along with us, and building in the open. pic.twitter.com/KUKzrfjzXT
— Base (@base) September 15, 2025
What We Know So Far
Base has grown quickly since launching in 2023. Right now, the network has around five billion dollars in total value locked. A good chunk of that came just this year. Despite all the activity, Base still doesn’t have its own token. Users pay gas fees in ETH. Pollak made it clear that nothing is set in stone. Everything from the token’s purpose to its governance and rollout is still being discussed.
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Staying Open and Compliant
Pollak said the team wants to do this in the open. That means involving the community and working closely with regulators. They don’t want to move too fast and create legal problems. Brian Armstrong, Coinbase’s CEO, also said there are no firm plans yet. He called the shift more of a mindset change than a concrete move. The company seems to be laying the groundwork while keeping an eye on how regulators might react.
Where Base Stands Right Now
Base is one of the most active layer 2 networks built on Ethereum. It was designed to offer fast and cheap transactions. That focus has helped it gain traction, especially among developers. With that momentum, it makes sense that people are wondering when or if a token will come. The timing of these conversations also lines up with growing interest in governance, incentives, and how to reward long-term participants.
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Challenges to Work Through
There are still a lot of open questions. The biggest one is what the token would actually do. Without a clear purpose, it risks becoming a distraction. There’s also the legal side to consider. Any missteps around securities laws could slow things down or even stop the project altogether. On top of that, Base needs to make sure the process remains fair and actually helps the people building and using the network.
Community Response
The reaction from developers and community members has been mostly positive. Some people are excited by the idea of more ownership and participation. Others are more cautious, waiting to see how serious Coinbase really is. So far, the fact that this conversation is happening out in the open has been seen as a good sign.
What Happens Next
For now, everything is still up in the air. The Base team will need to work through the details, from design to governance to legal structure. They’ll also have to keep the community involved and regulators informed. If all of that goes well, Base could be on the path to launching a token that actually adds value. But nothing’s guaranteed, and there’s still a lot to figure out.
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Key Takeaways
- Coinbase’s Base network is openly exploring a native token, marking a shift from earlier statements that no token was planned.
- Founder Jesse Pollak says a token could support growth by giving the community more power and encouraging developer participation.
- Base has grown quickly since its 2023 launch, with around $5 billion in total value locked, but it still relies on ETH for gas fees.
- The team is involving the community and regulators from the start, with no official design, timeline, or purpose confirmed yet.
- Key challenges include defining the token’s role, staying compliant with securities laws, and ensuring governance benefits builders and users.
The post Coinbase Is Thinking About a Token for Base Network appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
