Last updated on January 30th, 2026 at 03:42 am
Quick Breakdown
- Base will not intervene in token prices, citing legal, ethical, and market integrity concerns.
- Trader frustration is growing over the lack of a breakout “flagship” token on the network.
- Past meme token controversies continue to shape perceptions of Base’s role in speculative markets.
Tensions over meme token speculation, alleged favouritism, and market manipulation have resurfaced on Coinbase-backed Layer 2 network Base, prompting its creator Jesse Pollak to firmly reject calls for the team to step in and influence token prices.
quick thoughts on why free, open, and fair markets are something worth standing for https://t.co/l29p7bz5Cs
— jesse.base.eth (@jessepollak) January 27, 2026
In a post on X, Pollak said the Base core team would not secretly support or “manage” token charts, responding directly to community members urging the network to deploy internal capital to boost selected assets. He warned that any behind-the-scenes coordination to push prices higher would harm other projects, erode trust, contradict Base’s commitment to open markets, and potentially violate the law.
Traders frustrated over Base’s lack of a breakout token
Pollak’s comments come as some traders express frustration that Base lacks a “flagship” token capable of sustaining speculative momentum and attracting wider attention.
During a Base-focused livestream, one host argued that the network does not have what it takes to push a project into the hundreds of millions in market capitalization, suggesting traders look elsewhere. Others pushed back, saying the problem extends beyond Base and reflects a broader crypto issue, where meme-driven speculation has become a zero-sum game dominated by short-lived pumps.
While some community members supported Pollak’s stance, others argued that Base could have rallied around select projects and failed to do so. Pollak acknowledged the frustration but said price manipulation ultimately leads to repeated losses, while fair markets allow participants to learn, adapt, and succeed over time.
He added that Base continues to serve creators, builders, applications, and meme culture, noting that the Base app is evolving toward a more trading-focused experience to better showcase on-chain activity across the ecosystem.
Past meme token controversies resurface
The debate has also revived scrutiny of earlier incidents that shaped perceptions of Base’s role in meme markets.
In 2025, Base faced backlash after its official X account posted “Base is for everyone,” followed by a tokenized version of the post minted on Zora. Although Base described the move as a creative experiment rather than an official product, critics saw it as an implicit endorsement, fueling regulatory concerns.
In replies to users, he said open systems like public competitions or structured liquidity initiatives could be explored, provided they are implemented fairly and without hidden coordination.
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