In response to growing community feedback, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is considering multiple directions for the newly rebranded Base App, which marries finance and social networking features. Armstrong’s reflections surfaced in a recent communication where he acknowledged the app’s dual functionality as both a wallet and a social hub. He sought insights from users on whether the app should primarily enhance its self-custodial trading and financial services or pivot towards content creation and social interaction.
In a public discussion following the launch of the Coinbase System Update 2025, Armstrong posed the pivotal question to the community: “Should Base app focus on being a self-custodial version of Coinbase or lean into content/creator coins and social? Or is this a false dichotomy?” This inquiry reflects the diverse opinions he received during a product event that aimed at outlining the future of Coinbase’s offerings.
A spokesperson for Base clarified the company’s vision, stating that the app aims to be the gateway to the on-chain economy, effectively integrating elements of decentralized finance (DeFi) with emerging social finance (socialfi) tools. They emphasized that the strategy is not about choosing one path over another but rather about fostering a space where both avenues can coexist and flourish. “We’re excited to see the community shape this journey as we bring seamless on-chain experiences for the next billion users,” the spokesperson added.
The Base App signifies a major pivot from the previous Coinbase Wallet, which operated as a standalone entity focused solely on self-custodial functions. Over the summer, the wallet was rebranded into an “everything app,” aiming to blend wallet capabilities with trading and social media facets. This approach mirrors the increasing popularity of “super apps” in Asia, like WeChat and Alipay, which provide a suite of services within a single platform.
Armstrong’s inquiry comes on the heels of Farcaster, a blockchain-based social protocol initiated by former Coinbase team members, also altering its strategy. Farcaster has shifted focus from a primarily social network to enhancing on-chain trading functionalities after finding that a social-first model wasn’t yielding sustainable growth. This trend highlights a broader reconsideration across the industry regarding the balance between social and financial services in blockchain applications.
As both Base and Farcaster navigate these strategic pivots, the conversation around the ideal integration of finance and social features continues to evolve, with community feedback playing a critical role in shaping their paths forward.
