Base Is Getting a Network Token: What It Means and Why It Matters

The Ethereum Layer-2 world just got a shake-up. At BaseCamp 2025, Jesse Pollak announced that Coinbase is exploring a network token for the Base network.

Until now, Base has run entirely on ETH for fees. A native token changes the equation: decentralization, incentives, governance, and a new layer of opportunity (and speculation) for DeFi.

Let's break it down.

What Is Base?

Base is a Layer-2 blockchain on Ethereum, incubated by Coinbase. It is designed to scale Ethereum by offering faster, cheaper transactions while still relying on Ethereum's security.

Unlike competitors such as Optimism or Arbitrum, Base hasn't had a native token. ETH is used for gas, and Coinbase has acted as steward of the chain. That has given Base credibility but also limited some of the growth levers other chains use.

What's a "Network Token"?

A network token is the native asset of a blockchain. Depending on design, it can:

• Pay for transaction fees (gas)
• Reward contributors (developers, creators, validators, users)
• Enable governance (voting on upgrades and parameters)
• Push decentralization forward by reducing reliance on a single operator

For Base, a token would move it from "ETH-only" to a system with its own economic and governance layer.

Why Launch One Now?

Coinbase and the Base team say the goal is to accelerate decentralization and grow the ecosystem. A token gives the community a stake, funds incentives for builders, and aligns everyone's interests with the network's success.

It also puts Base on more equal footing with other Layer-2s. Both Arbitrum and Optimism have thriving token economies and DAO-style governance. If Base wants to compete for builders and liquidity, a token is a powerful tool.

What We Don't Know Yet

This is still in the "exploring" stage. Key questions remain:

• Will ETH stay the fee token, or will Base gas shift to the new token?
• Will the token carry governance power over Base upgrades?
• How will it be distributed? Airdrop? Allocations to Coinbase? Something else?
• When will it launch?

Until those answers drop, it is all speculation.

Why It Matters for DeFi

A Base token doesn't just mean a new asset to trade. It could reshape how DeFi works on the chain:

• New yield opportunities around staking, liquidity, and governance
• Fresh incentives for builders and creators to expand on Base
• More liquidity and activity drawn into the ecosystem

For users, that means opportunities but also new risks to weigh.

The Bigger Picture for Layer-2 Competition

Base has been gaining ground rapidly:

• 100+ million transactions processed monthly
• Growing DeFi ecosystem with native protocols
• Coinbase integration bringing mainstream users

A native token could accelerate this growth by:

• Incentivizing developers to build on Base vs competitors
• Creating governance mechanisms for community involvement
• Enabling new tokenomics models for protocols

What This Means for EtherHub Users

As a DeFi aggregator, EtherHub will be ready when the Base token launches:

✅ Instant Integration: Trade, stake, and earn with the new token
✅ Best Rates: Compare yields across Base DeFi protocols
✅ Simple Interface: No complex token management needed
✅ Risk Assessment: Clear guidance on new opportunities vs risks

Final Thoughts

If Coinbase moves forward, a Base network token could be one of the most impactful launches in Ethereum Layer-2 this year. It is not just about price, it is about decentralization, alignment, and opening new design space for DeFi.

At EtherHub, we are watching closely. Because when new tokens hit, it is not just another ticker, it is new strategies, staking options, and cross-chain plays. And we are here to make them simple to use.

Ready to explore Base DeFi? EtherHub brings you the best rates and simplest experience across all Layer-2 networks—including whatever Base has coming next.