Base reveals barbell strategy to support builders and enterprises

Base, the Ethereum Layer-2 network built by Coinbase, is pursuing a dual-track strategy: fund early-stage startups building on-chain while rolling out enterprise solutions for companies that need privacy, liquidity, and compliance-friendly infrastructure. Jesse Pollak, who leads Base, laid out this vision as the network continues to scale its ambitions beyond being just another Layer-2 chain. The startup side: from fund to ecosystem group Base’s support for early-stage projects got a structural upgrade in March 2025, when the original Base Ecosystem Fund evolved into the Base Ecosystem Group. Led by Coinbase Ventures, the restructured group broadened how capital and resources flow to teams building on the network. The group has backed more than 40 teams to date, spanning various corners of the on-chain economy. The enterprise side: Base Ledgers and private transactions Base Ledgers, a key piece of the enterprise strategy, are designed to facilitate privacy-focused transactions while tapping into Base’s broader liquidity infrastructure. For companies that need to move money on-chain without broadcasting every detail to the world, this is the pitch. Pollak has increasingly framed Bas...