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Coinbase launched the Base App on July 16 during its "A New Day One" event in Los Angeles. The app replaces Coinbase Wallet and functions as a gateway into the on-chain economy. It allows users to trade cryptocurrencies, send USDC payments, interact through social media, and access mini-apps, all within a single mobile experience.
Base App combines Farcaster for decentralized social networking, XMTP for encrypted messaging, and Zora for post monetization. The app introduces tokenized content, where users can earn from each post, whether it's text, an image, or a video. According to Coinbase Director of Product John Granata, the goal is to make Base more than a wallet by enabling monetization and social interaction in one place.
Besides trading, users can view their friends' real-time trades and participate in prediction markets or games via embedded mini-apps. Instant crypto payments are also possible by tapping into USDC via NFC technology. Granata pointed out that “Base is going from a single-player tool to a network,” highlighting its focus on collaboration and composability.
The Base App helps its users monetize their content through peer tipping and viral content rewards, giving creators ownership of their work. The design fosters a creator economy that is friendly to creators, allowing any individual to earn money from their digital contributions without relying on external sponsorships or large followings.
The Base experience includes encrypted messaging. With XMTP-based chat, users can conduct transactions directly within conversations, including sending cryptocurrency, executing trades, or utilizing AI agents for automated activities. Coinbase has focused on security and transparency by developing the app using an open protocol that does not require centralized trust.
AI tools also improve content creation and user feeds. Users gain from innovative editing features and real-time curated suggestions. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong called 2025 the "year of AI agents" and noted that the Base app integrates artificial intelligence as a key part of on-chain user experiences.
Base App is key to the growth of the larger Coinbase Base ecosystem, which also includes Base Chain and Base Build developer tools. By introducing the Base App, Coinbase will be able to target both early adopters and mainstream consumers with familiar digital experiences powered by blockchains.
Upon signing up, users receive a Base Account, an on-chain smart wallet that travels across apps. The company also launched Base Pay, enabling merchants like Shopify to accept near-instant USDC payments. U.S. users are eligible for cashback incentives later this year, though the reward program is not currently available in Europe or Canada.
Coinbase has invited developers to integrate "Sign in with Base" into their platforms, aiming for seamless credential portability. CEO Armstrong described the app as Coinbase’s “Netscape moment,” drawing parallels to the early internet’s transformation of global access.
