Base Eyes Native Token in Strategic Shift Amid Decentralization Push

- Base creator Jesse Pollak announces native token exploration during conference. - Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong emphasizes no finalized plans while confirming exploratory phase. On September 15, 2025, The Block and Cointelegraph reported that Base creator Jesse Pollak announced during a live-streamed conference that the Coinbase-incubated Ethereum Layer 2 network is exploring the launch of a native token. According to Pollak, a native token could bolster decentralization and enhance collaboration among developers and creators in the growing Base ecosystem. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on September 15, Coinbase co-founder and CEO Brian Armstrong confirmed the team is in an exploratory phase, but he clarified that no definitive decisions have been made. Armstrong noted that Base’s initial strategy focused on building a secure, low-cost blockchain, a vision that did not originally require a token. The token exploration aligns Base with broader industry trends, particularly its involvement in the Optimism Superchain ecosystem, which is a collaborative framework that includes projects like Base and the Kraken-incubated Ink L2. This participation offers a path toward increased interoperability and shared resources. Pollak stressed that any token plans from Base will prioritize regulatory alignment, emphasizing that compliance is a crucial part of the network's evolving strategy. Coinciding with this news, Base also announced advancements in interoperability, unveiling plans for an open-source Solana bridge. This integration will allow users to deposit and use Solana-based assets within Base applications and facilitate the transfer of Base assets to the Solana blockchain. These developments arrive as Base achieves key technical milestones, such as reaching "Stage 1" of decentralization by implementing permissionless fault proofs, according to Vitalik Buterin’s framework. According to CoinMarketCap, Ethereum (ETH) traded at $4,496.75 as of 17:08 UTC on September 15, with its 24-hour trading volume down 2.2%. Meanwhile, Solana (SOL) was valued at $231.61, a decline of 5.4% over the same period.