Coinbase is looking to become an all-around FinTech and crypto operator
Coinbase has officially rebranded its Coinbase Wallet to the “Base app,” signaling a major shift in its strategy to build a comprehensive digital platform. Revealed at the company’s “A New Day One” event in Los Angeles, the new app aims to go beyond its traditional role as a crypto wallet by integrating a broad mix of tools, including trading, payments, social media, messaging, and access to decentralized applications.
According to Coinbase, the Base app is structured around four main areas: a decentralized social network, a discovery space for blockchain apps, a crypto wallet for transactions, and encrypted messaging with support for AI-based tools. Built on Coinbase’s Ethereum Layer 2 network, Base, the app also introduces support for embedded “mini apps,” offering users features like gaming, yield farming, and prediction markets.
Hello from @baseapp
Coinbase Wallet is now much more than a wallet. Your new home to create, earn, trade, discover apps, and chat with friends all in one place. pic.twitter.com/LICIDJwvEE
— Base app (@baseapp) July 16, 2025
A standout feature is the social layer, powered by Farcaster, which allows creators to publish and monetize content without relying on ad deals or follower thresholds. Users can engage with posts, follow creators, and interact directly with services through a feed that blends social interaction with blockchain functionality.
Coinbase has also introduced Base Pay, which allows NFC-based payments using Circle’s USDC. Users can simply tap to send funds, streamlining everyday transactions. The app integrates crypto trading into this same feed, letting users buy and sell supported tokens without leaving the interface.
Although the Base app is still in beta and requires users to join a waitlist, it reflects Coinbase’s broader ambitions to compete with tech giants developing multi-functional “super apps.” Companies like Meta, X (formerly Twitter), and WeChat have taken similar steps in combining messaging, finance, and digital identity.
Jesse Pollack, who leads development on Base, referred to the launch as a fresh beginning. He marked the moment by posting a selfie as the app’s first tokenized post—another example of how Coinbase is blending web3 interaction with everyday social tools.
