Coinbase Wallet becomes Base app to unify Web3 Social and DeFi on one platform
Coinbase unveils new Base app
Coinbase has announced a major rebranding and functionality upgrade of its Ethereum layer-2 network and wallet, marking the beginning of a new era of decentralized interaction. During the "A New Day One" event in Los Angeles, the company introduced the Base app — a comprehensive “everything app” that merges social networking, trading, payments, and decentralized applications (dApps) into a single interface.
Formerly known as Coinbase Wallet, the new Base app reflects a broader vision of Web3 utility. Users can post content, chat, earn from their posts, trade cryptocurrencies, and interact with embedded mini apps — all within one unified platform. Built on open protocols, the app integrates Farcaster for decentralized social feeds and features such as Base Pay — a near-instant tap-to-pay system using USDC. The app also introduces “Sign in with Base,” a universal identity system enabling seamless access to dApps.
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Basechain upgrade and infrastructure development
At the same time, Coinbase’s Ethereum layer-2 network has officially rebranded from “Base” to Basechain, underscoring its evolution beyond its original ties to Coinbase. A major technical upgrade, Flashblocks, reduces block formation time from 2 seconds to just 200 milliseconds, increasing transaction speed tenfold and positioning Basechain among the fastest L2 solutions on the market.
To support broader Web3 adoption, Coinbase also introduced the Base Build initiative, aiming to onboard 1 million developers through grants, tools, and a dedicated dashboard. Developers can now more easily launch mini apps directly within the Base app ecosystem, including games, prediction markets, and DeFi protocols.
New features and strategic direction
A new feature called MagicSpend allows users to pay gas fees directly from their Coinbase balance, eliminating friction during onchain activity and encouraging participation. Furthermore, integration with Shopify via Base Pay will soon enable millions of merchants to accept USDC, with U.S. consumers receiving 1% cashback.
With the Base app now in beta, Coinbase is inviting users and developers to join the decentralized future. By unifying social functionality, payments, identity, and dApps into a single mobile-first solution, Basechain positions itself as a leading contender among global “super apps,” poised to reshape how users engage with the next generation of the internet.
Read also: California brings Ripple and Coinbase leaders into its government innovation initiative
