Base Development: Bringing Your App Onchain to 100 Million Users

Why Base? The Blockchain Built for Mainstream Adoption

Base represents Coinbase's bold bet on bringing the next billion users onchain. Unlike blockchains built for crypto natives, Base is designed from the ground up for mainstream consumer applications—social networks, creator tools, payment apps, and experiences that regular people actually use. With Coinbase's 100+ million verified users, enterprise-grade infrastructure, and commitment to compliance, Base offers what most blockchains lack: a clear path from prototype to mass adoption.

The technical foundation is battle-tested. Built on the OP Stack (Optimism's open-source framework), Base inherits years of Layer 2 development while benefiting from Coinbase's operational expertise. Transaction fees average $0.01-0.05, settlement happens in 2 seconds, and the network processes thousands of transactions per second—fast enough for consumer apps, cheap enough for microtransactions.

What makes Base exceptional is ecosystem positioning. When you build on Base, you're not just deploying to another L2—you're tapping into Coinbase's distribution, compliance infrastructure, fiat on/off ramps, and relationships with regulators worldwide. For applications that need to serve non-crypto users, accept credit cards, or operate in regulated markets, these advantages are transformative.

• Mainstream distribution: Access to 100M+ Coinbase users with fiat on-ramps and compliance built-in.
• Consumer-grade UX: Smart Wallets with passkey auth, gasless transactions, Web2-style onboarding.
• OP Stack reliability: $0.01-0.05 fees, 2-second finality, thousands of TPS with Ethereum security.
• Proven ecosystem: Farcaster, Friend.tech, Zora prove Base can support viral consumer applications.

What We Build on Base

Base Development Process

1. Phase 1 - Consumer UX Foundation: Implement Smart Wallet with passkey authentication, social login integration (Google, Twitter, email), gasless transaction setup via Coinbase paymaster, and mobile-responsive design. Users should never see seed phrases or gas fees.
2. Phase 2 - Core Application Features: Build primary user flows (social posting, creator monetization, payment processing), integrate smart contracts for core mechanics, implement real-time updates and notifications, and create intuitive interfaces that hide blockchain complexity.
3. Phase 3 - Fiat Integration & Monetization: Integrate Coinbase Pay or alternatives for credit card purchases, implement subscription or tipping smart contracts, build creator dashboards for earnings tracking, and establish revenue distribution mechanisms.
4. Phase 4 - Viral Mechanics & Launch: Design referral systems with on-chain rewards, create Farcaster Frames for social distribution, implement social sharing with preview cards, optimize mobile performance, and prepare analytics for measuring viral growth.

Base Development Timeline: Creator Social Platform

Base-Specific Development Patterns

Here's what makes Base development unique for consumer applications:

// Coinbase Smart Wallet - no seed phrases, passkey auth
import { CoinbaseWalletSDK } from '@coinbase/wallet-sdk';

const coinbaseWallet = new CoinbaseWalletSDK({
  appName: 'Your Consumer App',
  appLogoUrl: 'https://yourapp.com/logo.png',
  smartWalletOnly: true, // Force Smart Wallet (passkeys)
});

const provider = coinbaseWallet.makeWeb3Provider({
  options: 'smartWalletOnly',
  rpcUrl: 'https://mainnet.base.org',
  chainId: 8453, // Base mainnet
});

// Users create wallet with passkey (Face ID, Touch ID, Windows Hello)
// No seed phrases to write down
// No browser extension required
// Works seamlessly on mobile and desktop

const ConnectButton = () => {
  const handleConnect = async () => {
    try {
      // Request connection - triggers passkey creation/authentication
      const accounts = await provider.request({
        method: 'eth_requestAccounts',
      });

      // User is now connected - took 5 seconds, not 5 minutes
      console.log('Connected:', accounts[0]);

      // Smart Wallet supports gasless transactions automatically
      // Users interact without holding ETH
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Connection failed:', error);
    }
  };

  return <button onClick={handleConnect}>Sign in with passkey</button>;
};

// Web2 UX, Web3 ownership

// Enable gasless transactions - users don't pay gas
import { useSendTransaction } from 'wagmi';
import { parseEther } from 'viem';

const TipCreator = ({ creatorAddress }) => {
  const { sendTransaction } = useSendTransaction();

  const sendTip = async (amount: string) => {
    // Smart Wallet handles gas automatically via paymaster
    // User doesn't need ETH in their wallet
    // Your app sponsors the transaction

    await sendTransaction({
      to: creatorAddress,
      value: parseEther(amount),
      // No gas field needed - Smart Wallet handles it
    });

    // Transaction succeeds even if user has 0 ETH
    // You sponsor gas costs via Coinbase paymaster
    // User sees: "Tip sent!" not "Insufficient funds for gas"
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <button onClick={() => sendTip('0.001')}>Tip $5</button>
      {/* User never sees "gas" or "ETH" */}
    </div>
  );
};

// Alternative: Protocol-sponsored transactions
const usePaymaster = () => {
  // Your backend API sponsors gas for new users
  // First 10 transactions free, then users pay
  // Reduces friction during onboarding

  const sponsorTransaction = async (tx) => {
    const signature = await fetch('/api/sponsor-gas', {
      method: 'POST',
      body: JSON.stringify(tx),
    });

    return signature;
  };

  return { sponsorTransaction };
};

// Let users buy crypto with credit cards
import { initOnRamp } from '@coinbase/cbpay-js';

const BuyCryptoButton = () => {
  const handleBuyCrypto = () => {
    // Coinbase Pay modal - credit card to crypto
    const onrampInstance = initOnRamp({
      appId: 'your-app-id',
      widgetParameters: {
        destinationWallets: [
          {
            address: userWalletAddress,
            assets: ['ETH'], // What user is buying
            supportedNetworks: ['base'], // Send to Base
          },
        ],
        defaultNetwork: 'base',
        // Pre-fill amount based on what they're purchasing
        presetCryptoAmount: 10, // $10 worth of ETH
      },
      onSuccess: () => {
        // User successfully bought crypto
        // Funds arrive in their wallet in minutes
        // Now they can use your app
        refreshBalance();
      },
      onExit: () => {
        console.log('User closed purchase flow');
      },
    });

    onrampInstance.open();
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <p>You need $10 in ETH to subscribe</p>
      <button onClick={handleBuyCrypto}>Buy with credit card</button>
    </div>
  );
};

// Alternative: MoonPay/Ramp for more regions
const OnRampOptions = () => {
  // Route users to best on-ramp based on:
  // - User location (regulatory support)
  // - Payment method (card, bank, Apple Pay)
  // - Fees and limits

  const getBestOnRamp = (country: string) => {
    if (country === 'US') return 'coinbase'; // Lowest fees in US
    if (country === 'EU') return 'moonpay'; // Better EU coverage
    return 'ramp'; // Global fallback
  };

  return <OnRampSelector />;
};

These patterns leverage Base's unique advantages: Smart Wallets for mainstream UX, Coinbase infrastructure for fiat integration, and social ecosystem for viral growth. Build apps regular people use.

Who Should Build on Base

Frequently Asked Questions