Backed by Binance, BNB Chain ecosystem has risen meteoricly, driven by memecoins, Aster, and CZ’s leadership has attracted significant attention, capital, and users to the BNB Chain.
Meanwhile, backed by Coinbase, Base has taken a more disciplined path, investing time and effort to build a durable ecosystem. As attention gravitates toward BNB, now may be an opportune time to establish a foothold in the Base ecosystem, particularly with rumors circulating about an imminent BASE token launch.
Overview of the Base Ecosystem
Originally launched as a straightforward Layer 2 blockchain, Base is being transformed by Coinbase into a cornerstone of its bold Web3 vision, cementing its role as a key player for the largest U.S.-based exchange.
The development of onchain ecosystems is gaining momentum among industry leaders. Hyperliquid has set a precedent by building a thriving onchain financial hub, establishing a standard for the sector.
Other CEXs have followed, with projects like:
- Aster/Binance Alpha/memecoins on Binance.
- Apex/Mantle on Bybit, Ink on Kraken.
- Robinhood’s Layer 2 on Arbitrum.
Coinbase is actively participating, fostering a diverse Base ecosystem.
DeFi on Base
Here are some key DeFi metrics highlighting Base’s dominance as a Layer 2 solution:
- Total Value Locked (TVL): $5.01B, the highest among all Layer 2 networks.
- DEX Trading Volume: Averages $1.5 - $3B daily.
- Stablecoin Market Cap: Stands at $4.5B, with consistent upward growth.
- Lending Protocols: Morpho, Aave, and Spark rank first, second, and third in TVL, ensuring robust liquidity for users.
- DEX Experience: Aerodrome and Uniswap provide seamless trading for memecoins and content coins on the network.
- Derivatives Trading: Avantis leads as the top project for derivatives trading on Base.
In summary, Base offers a comprehensive DeFi ecosystem, encompassing critical components such as lending, DEXs, derivatives, and RWAs. Its distinct advantage lies in Coinbase’s strong support, including:
- Enabling institutions to use wrapped Bitcoin (cbBTC) as collateral for borrowing on Morpho.
- Offering zero-fee USDC transfers for users via Coinbase Wallet on the Base network.
Base App
Base App represents a pivotal strategic asset for both the Base network and the leading Coinbase exchange.
In an era where its business model previously relied on trading fees, which are susceptible to cryptocurrency market fluctuations, the launch of Base App signals Coinbase's shift toward a more sustainable, long-term vision.
Designed as an all-in-one Web3 app, it integrates essential functions such as trading, seamless payments, social networking, and the discovery of emerging dApps.
Standout features of Base App include:
- The Base Account, which eliminates the need to manage seed phrases for secure access.
- AI-assisted money transfers and financial management.
- Effortless USDC-based payments through Base Pay, enabling fast real-world transactions with perks like 1% cashback until the end of 2025.
- Built-in Zora and Farcaster, creating a dynamic SocialFi environment that empowers creators with multiple revenue streams through content monetization and NFTs.
- Convenient mini dApps embedding DeFi tools for decentralized exchanges, yield farming, and lending, all within a single platform.
Additionally, Base App incorporates smart wallet technology with account abstraction, allowing users to set up wallets using only an email, automatically sponsor gas fees, and benefit from faster processing through innovations like Flashblocks, which reduce block times to 200 milli seconds for sub-second confirmations.
In essence, Base App addresses common Web3 usability challenges, simplifying interactions and accelerating the migration of users from traditional Web2 platforms or Coinbase’s centralized exchange to the onchain ecosystem.
A successful Base App rollout could deliver immense value to Coinbase, including:
- Positioning it as the West’s first true super app, comparable to Eastern giants like WeChat or Alipay.
- Leveraging Coinbase’s approximately 100 million users to potentially convert 10 - 20% to onchain activities, driving rapid expansion and significant revenue growth.
- Attracting high-caliber dApps due to a robust user base, after all, projects follow where the audience is.
Recent metrics underscore this potential: Post-launch, daily token creations surged from ~4K to over 15K unique creators increased from 1.5K to 12K and trading volumes climbed from $1M to more than $6M/day, reflecting genuine user engagement rather than fleeting hype.
Ultimately, Base App’s success could pave the way for mainstream onchain adoption.
This initiative also strategically positions Coinbase ahead of competitors like Binance, OKX, and Kraken in the race for market dominance.
Although accessing the Base app currently requires users to have an invite code, everything will soon be made public to the community.
Consumer Apps on Base
Base distinguishes itself through its clear vision from the outset and its effective execution in creating a user-focused network.
Instead of relying solely on short-term DeFi incentives, pursuing unsustainable GameFi Ponzi schemes, or overemphasizing NFTs as seen in the 2021 cycle, Base has developed an ecosystem that prioritizes practical applications tailored to genuine user needs:
- Farcaster: A decentralized social media platform that has secured $180 million from top-tier investors, including Paradigm, a16z, and Coinbase Ventures. Widely embraced by the community, including prominent figures like Vitalik Buterin, Farcaster serves as a cornerstone of Base’s social ecosystem.
- Limitless: A leading prediction market on Base, currently ranking third in trading volume across the sector. With Polymarket recently raising $2 billion, prediction markets are emerging as a key trend, and Limitless is well-positioned to capitalize on this momentum.
- Zora: A platform that empowers creators to raise capital through their work, fostering a vibrant creator economy by enabling monetization of digital content and NFTs.
Opportunities on Base
Airdrop Potential
Whales Market has released a guide for pursuing airdrops within the Base ecosystem, accessible here. In addition, to potential airdrops from Base itself, users should engage with the following applications to maximize their opportunities:
Farcaster - Participate by posting and creating high-quality content. Although the project has not yet launched a token, it’s a favorite among OGs and KOLs in the Base community. Use it as a social network, preferably with the app’s native wallet, to build a strong onchain presence and boost chances of earning rewards.
Memecoins and Other Opportunities
While Base’s memecoin surge is less intense than those on Solana or BNB Chain, it has evolved more organically, advancing at a steadier pace compared to the rapid hype cycles of other ecosystems.
Additional opportunities within the Base ecosystem include:
- Zora: A foundational platform within Base App, empowering creators to monetize their posts through a "mint-and-earn" model, shifting revenue from traditional ads to transaction-based earnings. Keep an eye on initiatives like BaseShake and VisualizeValue for their innovative contributions to this creator economy.
- $CLANKER Ecosystem: This includes $BNKR and $NOICE, forming a vibrant network of interconnected projects that enhances Base App’s functionality and user engagement.
- DeFi Opportunities: As Base attracts more users and capital, trading activity on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and lending platforms surges, boosting fees for liquidity providers (LPs) and creating ripple effects of value for holders of tokens tied to DeFi dApps.
- $COIN: Coinbase benefits significantly by diversifying its income streams beyond traditional trading fees, leveraging Base App’s success to tap into new revenue channels.
- NFT and Content Tokens: Backed by influential figures like @brian_armstrong, @jessepollak, and @js_horne, these tokens gain traction, amplifying the creator-driven economy on Base.
Farming Yield in the Base Ecosystem
If users don’t want to engage with too many different apps, users can simply add liquidity and enjoy relatively high yields. this also helps accumulate on-chain points.
Base achieving the highest TVL among all Layer-2 networks is no coincidence; part of its success comes from the attractive yields generated by lending pools.
Below are some liquidity pools offering impressive APRs, notably focused on low-volatility assets such as ETH and stablecoins.
Conclusion
The BNB season has already taken place, and it’s clear that Coinbase won’t stay out of the game. Therefore, expecting a Base season backed by Coinbase’s massive resources is entirely reasonable.
By putting some skin in the game on Base and exploring opportunities within the Base ecosystem, users will be in the best position to observe and capture the next wave of growth.
FAQs
Q1. What makes the Base Ecosystem unique?
Backed by Coinbase, Base focuses on real adoption and strong DeFi infrastructure with apps like Farcaster, Zora, and Limitless, rather than short-term hype.
Q2. Is there a Base airdrop coming?
No official airdrop has been confirmed, but users active on Base App, Farcaster, and Zora may have higher chances when rewards go live.
Q3. What is the Base App?
Base App is a Web3 super app by Coinbase that combines trading, social features, and payments all with no seed phrases and zero-fee USDC transfers.
Q4. Why does Base lead in TVL?
Its high TVL comes from strong yield farming and lending pools like Aave, Morpho, and Spark, supported by Coinbase’s liquidity and stablecoin flow.
Q5. How can users earn yield on Base?
Add liquidity to Base’s DeFi pools and earn high APRs on assets like ETH and stablecoins, while collecting on-chain points for future rewards.
Q6: What is the price of $BASE today?
$BASE does not yet have an official market price since it has not been listed. However, you will soon be able to trade it on the leading pre-market platform, Whales Market. Here, you can buy more $BASE or sell to take profit before it is officially listed on CEXs like Binance or Bybit.
Q7: What is the $BASE pre-market price?
As of October 16, 2025, $BASE does not yet have a pre-market price. However, you will soon be able to trade it on Whales Market.