Tso Thoughts https://paragraph.com/@cryptso Thoughts, ideas, and observations on crypto and the industry at large. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 22:24:00 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html https://github.com/jpmonette/feed en Tso Thoughts https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/499d2514adb5f7a82d430a2744529317 https://paragraph.com/@cryptso All rights reserved <![CDATA[Tso Thoughts | Mar 2026, The Year We Win Together]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/the-year-we-win-together oCSQmWMPyaDYyo5dQmrH Sat, 11 Apr 2026 20:54:46 GMT Welcome to the Tso Thoughts newsletter! Every month, I curate my best thoughts, ideas, and observations on crypto and the industry at large.

2026 Mission

Why Crypto

Onchain Capital Formation

Global Markets

Let’s Build

Tweets of the Month

Consumer Apps / Experiences I Liked

Infrastructure / Tooling Updates

And that’s my monthly roundup! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and follow me to stay in the loop.


]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Resources to Supercharge Your Startup on Base]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/base-startup-resources 9Gdeo341GEFTA280HU7i Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:43:56 GMT 0 to 100

25 resources to grow your startup from 0 to 100 on Base:

- Base Batches: batches.base.org

- Y Combinator: ycombinator.com/apply

- Alliance: alliance.xyz/apply

- a16z crypto CSX: a16zcrypto.com/accelerator

- South Park Commons: southparkcommons.com

- Learn to Build Onchain: docs.base.org/get-started/base

- Paymaster Gas Credits: coinbase.com/developer-platform/products/paymaster

- Free Onchain Monitoring: blog.base.org/introducing-free-onchain-monitoring-for-base-builders

- Free Security Reviews: blog.base.dev/free-security-reviews

- Grow Your App: base.dev

- Builder Codes: docs.base.org/base-chain/builder-codes/builder-codes

- Get Funded: docs.base.org/get-started/get-funded

- Base Services Hub: docs.base.org/get-started/base-services-hub

- Base Ecosystem Job Network: base.hirechain.io

- Base Mentorship Program: docs.base.org/get-started/base-mentorship-program

- Country Leads and Ambassadors: docs.base.org/get-started/country-leads-and-ambassadors

- Builder Network: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScM26LzZEvOuyaIPGHLWUVfOJL_WW71xz7CvPVqcVQcxuDNHA/viewform

- Base Content Creators: x.com/i/lists/1869425408573075694

- Coinbase Business: coinbase.com/business

- Coinbase Prime: coinbase.com/prime/custody

- Coinbase Token Manager: coinbase.com/tokenmanager

- Raising on Echo / Sonar: echo.xyz

- Raising on Legion: legion.cc

- Spindl Ads: spindl.xyz

- Coinbase DEX Trading: coinbase.com/trade-crypto/dex


Founder Mode

It’s time to supercharge your startup on Base.

]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Tso Thoughts | Feb 2026, Ideas in Play]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/ideas-in-play 56C5HxBaiDWRWm8Slucs Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:57:57 GMT Welcome to the Tso Thoughts newsletter! Every month, I curate my best thoughts, ideas, and observations on crypto and the industry at large.

AI Szn

Builder Codes

Base Accelerators

NYC

ETHDenver 2026 Highlights

Tweets of the Month

Consumer Apps / Experiences I Liked

Infrastructure / Tooling Updates

And that’s my monthly roundup! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and follow me to stay in the loop.


]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Y Combinator Startups Coming Onchain]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/y-combinator-onchain NvFuprs81QAJhv4dJClQ Wed, 04 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT Build Onchain

Our mission at Base is to build a global economy that increases innovation, creativity, and freedom. To do this, we need more founders to build onchain businesses so that anyone, anywhere can participate in the global economy.

That’s why this week’s announcement from Y Combinator is so important. Y Combinator will now let startups receive their $500k funding in stablecoins, signaling strong belief in crypto as core Fintech infrastructure. With growing adoption, regulation, and real-world use, YC expects most startups to integrate crypto, and is encouraging onchain founders to apply in Spring ’26.

Request for Startups: Fintech 3.0, created in collaboration with Base and Coinbase Ventures, invites founders to build entirely new financial systems onchain. With new policy developments such as the GENIUS Act aiming to provide greater regulatory clarity, mature infrastructure that processes <1 second, <1 cent payments globally, and growing consumer adoption proven by billions in stablecoin settlements, founders may find new opportunities to build onchain.


Why Fintech 3.0 is Happening Now

Three major shifts have aligned to make this the moment for onchain finance:

- Regulatory clarity: The GENIUS Act is designed to establish a federal framework for stablecoins in the US, similar to the system that banks already use. Since it went into effect, the stablecoin market cap has grown by over $30 billion, and major companies like Amazon and Walmart have signaled interest in exploring stablecoin initiatives. For years, regulatory uncertainty was the main obstacle. Now, founders can build more confidently, with clearer rules of the road.

- Infrastructure maturity: Layer 2 chains have matured significantly, making it easier, faster, and cheaper for developers to build, and for people anywhere to transact onchain. This year, Base achieved its north star of <1 second, <1 cent transactions and now has nearly $15 billion in assets on platform – proving that L2s can power money movement at scale.

- Market demand: Real-world crypto adoption is growing rapidly. DEX activity is at an all-time high, with Aerodrome alone averaging $700M+ in daily trading volume on Base in recent weeks. YC alumni like Kontigo and DolarApp serve millions of people in local markets across Latin America. Coinbase Ventures-backed El Dorado has processed $200 million for nearly 1 million users in just the past year. And the broader numbers support this: 560 million people using crypto worldwide and $30 trillion in stablecoin settlements last year (3x YoY growth).


Why Onchain Rails

To build a global economy, Base is committed to bringing financial assets onchain, enabling faster, cheaper, near-instant settlement on onchain rails. Traditional finance moves slowly because it was built decades ago. ACH transfers take days, wire transfers are expensive, and foreign exchange fees eat into every transaction across borders. Building on Base’s onchain rails unlocks:

- Instant global settlement: Anyone can send USDC anywhere in the world in under one second for less than one cent. Companies like Shopify are already taking advantage of this, with Coinbase and Shopify partnering together to bring USDC payments on Base to millions of merchants worldwide. 

- Always-on markets: DeFi protocols operate 24/7 without downtime, enabling instant global transactions at internet speed. On Base, users can swap USDC and EURC with a 0.05% fee through Aerodrome, compared to traditional forex markets that cost up to 3% and take days to settle.

- Programmable money: Crypto creates new financial primitives impossible in traditional systems. Smart contracts can automatically execute complex financial logic, from streaming payments that flow continuously to AI agents that can hold and manage assets.


The Opportunities Ahead

YC highlighted three areas where there’s massive potential for founders to build:

1. Stablecoins

Dollar stablecoins proved the model. But the next wave is local currency stablecoins and products that let people get the benefits of crypto without defaulting to the dollar. We’re already seeing momentum: EURC, QCAD, IDRX, and 20+ other local currency stablecoins have launched on Base independently. Together, stablecoins on Base account for more than $6B in value. That demand is just the beginning.

Founders can build across the entire stack. Better on / off ramps, savings products for emerging markets, or tools that help traditional businesses accept stablecoin payments. The prize is huge: Bringing global financial stability to billions.

2. Tokenization and Trading

The same rails that make stablecoins work apply to every asset, radically changing what they are and who can own them. Assets that have historically been illiquid and locked behind layers of middlemen can now be owned, traded, and used by anyone, anywhere. The assets with the most friction and middlemen today have the most to gain from moving onchain.

Think programmable equity tokens for stock options. Global access to stocks, ETFs, and private credit markets. It’s already happening: J.P. Morgan just launched USD-backed deposit tokens (JPMD) on Base through Kinexys, enabling institutional clients to settle payments instantly at a fraction of a cent.

3. Apps and Agents

The next great consumer platforms won’t be built on walled gardens. They’ll be built onchain, because this enables true ownership, direct creator monetization, and composable experiences built on shared and open rails. The Base app is built on open protocols and brings together a social network, app discovery, chat, payments, and trading all in one place. On Base, you own what you create and earn from what you do. On most social media apps, you're the product, but on Base, you're in control and can earn money directly from your content.

AI + wallets is another frontier. Clanker, an autonomous AI agent on Base, instantly launches tokens for users through simple text commands, generating over $13 million in revenue in its first five months. We’re seeing AI agents like Bankr execute trades, Byte AI order food, Onit create prediction markets, and Ohara write code to build apps.


Y Combinator Wants to Hear From You

If you’re building for this new reality, or have an even bigger vision for what this new era of Fintech unlocks, we want to hear from you. Together, YC, Base, and Coinbase Ventures are excited to support developers building onchain.

Apply here for the next YC batch.


Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, financial, or investment advice. References to legislation, companies, or third-party projects are provided for context only and do not constitute an endorsement by Base, Coinbase, or Coinbase Ventures. Base provides open and neutral infrastructure; third-party projects mentioned are independent from Base.

]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Tso Thoughts | Jan 2026, The Agentic Economy Accelerating]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/agentic-economy iZJLmJEXL7SSSHO1P1R1 Sun, 01 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT Welcome to the Tso Thoughts newsletter! Every month, I curate my best thoughts, ideas, and observations on crypto and the industry at large.

The Agentic Economy

The Future is Onchain

Amazon of Assets

Prediction Markets Launching

Apps Winning

Tweets of the Month

Consumer Apps / Experiences I Liked

Infrastructure / Tooling Updates

And that’s my monthly roundup! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and follow me to stay in the loop.


]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Base Going Global]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/base-global mMGhqlQ4ZCcOD2PpGGgL Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:58:45 GMT Base Around the World

Want to get involved with your local Base community? Follow and keep up with Base communities all over the world:

- Brasil

- East Africa

- France

- Germany

- Hungary

- India

- Indonesia

- Ireland

- Italy

- Japan

- Korea

- Latin America

- Malaysia

- Netherlands

- Philippines

- Poland

- Singapore

- Southern Africa

- Spain

- Türkiye

- UAE

- United Kingdom

- Vietnam

- West Africa


A Global Community

Base is global, boots on the ground, built by the people, together, and for everyone.

]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Tso Thoughts | Dec 2025, System Updated]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/system-updated voVaGMqavuDuzLKa2JDj Sat, 10 Jan 2026 22:47:07 GMT Welcome to the Tso Thoughts newsletter! Every month, I curate my best thoughts, ideas, and observations on crypto and the industry at large.

Coinbase System Update

Base App

Base App Mini Apps

Base Dev

Base Ecosystem

Tweets of the Month

Consumer Apps / Experiences I Liked

Infrastructure / Tooling Updates

And that’s my monthly roundup! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and follow me to stay in the loop.


]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Base Mini App Starter Pack]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/mini-app-starter-pack 4RHBFfbYkBeX7uAKDM8W Tue, 23 Dec 2025 17:44:00 GMT Starter Pack

Just got into the Base App and want to know what to do? Here’s a mini app starter pack:


Play Games

- Anichess Puzzles

- Astroblock

- Baes

- Boinkers

- Cat Town

- Clash of Coins

- CODY

- Crazy Rush Heroes

- Drawcast

- Framedl

- Fruitlings

- Hoot

- Legend of Uptopia

- Machinata Blitz

- Pixotchi

- PlaysOut

- Remix

- Rise of Farms

- Scratch

- Spor

- Squabble

- The Firm

- Tokiemon


Connect With Creators

- Bond

- Coins

- Control the Stream

- fxhash

- Paragraph

- Pods

- Retake.TV

- Streme Fun

- TBPN

- WishWish


Earn Crypto

- Arcadia Finance

- Beefy

- Cap

- Gauntlet

- Mamo

- Megapot

- Metalend

- Moonwell

- Morpho

- PoolTogether

- Solv

- Sova

- Spark


Make Predictions

- Bookie

- Fantasy.Top

- Limitless Exchange

- Onit

- Ponder

- PredictBase

- Truemarkets

- Upshot


Create and Earn

- BasePaint

- BETRMINT

- Corners

- Emerge

- FriendSpace

- Ohara

- OverHerd

- RevU

- TITLES


Onchain Utilities

- Astrology

- Beeper

- Checkr

- Crowdfund

- Donate Now

- Ethos Scores

- FollowSync

- Inflynce

- Kaito

- Kondo

- Metopia

- Neda Pay

- QR

- Tab

- Transfero

- Venice AI

- Virtuals ACP Butler


Bet on Sports

- Basketball.xyz

- Bracky

- Overtime Markets

- Scoreline

- Sport.Fun


Discover Music

- Bolero

- Coop Records

- Tortoise


Pay Onchain

- Bando

- Barnes & Noble

- Chipotle

- CoCo Bubble Tea

- GameStop

- iShoppes

- Kiehl’s

- Minted Merch

- Regal

- Sheetz

- SimpleFi

- Slice Shops

- Ulta Beauty


Trade Onchain

- Aerodrome

- Alphie

- Bankr

- Bitmor

- GeckoTerminal

- Hydrex

- Hypersurface

- Indexy

- Neurodex

- Perps

- Wasabi


Launch Tokens

- Clanker

- Flaunch

- Frame

- Mint Club

- Noice


Rip Packs

- Drip

- Rips

- Slab Cash


Mini Apps

What are your favorite mini apps on the Base App?

]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Your New Home, Onchain]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/base-app lOw8DxmIuzliO9sjBWSj Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT Introducing the Base App

Coinbase Wallet is now the Base App, evolving from a wallet into an everything app that brings together social, apps, chat, payments, and trading. Anyone can manage their assets, post, connect with others, and directly earn from their work.

We believe the next chapter of the internet won’t come from big platforms. It’ll come from creators. That’s why we rebuilt the Base App from the ground up, not just as a wallet, but as a new kind of open social network. One where you own what you post. Where your work earns. Where your feed is yours.

Starting today, the Base App is available to everyone in more than 140 countries. 


An Open Social Network

On today’s social media platforms, the platforms maintain control over content and users, and capture most of the value everyone creates. With decentralized social media, no single company owns user data or content, putting users directly in control. Creators can earn directly from their content and have the freedom to take their identity and content with them across different apps, rather than being locked into one platform.

The new social feed in the Base App is powered by Farcaster, which means creators can own their content and earn directly from their success. Creators don’t need to rely on brand deals or massive followings to earn their first dollar. Anyone, anywhere in the world can get on Base and earn from day one. We're enabling a flywheel between creators and their audience where any user can easily tip or collect their favorite content directly, creating a new economic model for creators.

- Earn from your content: Every post is a coin that can be bought, powered by Zora. Creators can earn with no follower minimum, brand deals, or geo restrictions.

- Watch your network trade: See what your friends are buying and swapping, and jump in without leaving the feed. Discover new tokens and trade in just a few taps.

- Post and be rewarded: Top creators who post and engage with the community on the Base App will earn weekly rewards for a limited time, subject to applicable terms and conditions. Payouts occur weekly directly in the app, where you can track all your earnings as a creator.


Everything You Need in One Place

Everything onchain is now in one app. No downloads or switching tabs or apps just to share something fun.

- Explore mini apps: Mini apps live right in your feed. Play games with mini apps like Remix, earn yield with mini apps like Morpho, create your own prediction market with mini apps like Bracky, and more. Pin your favorites, discover promoted apps, and see what’s trending. Thousands of mini apps are available on day one.

- Access millions of coins: Buy, sell, and swap millions of onchain coins with fast and integrated transaction flows within the Base App. Your keys, your crypto. 

- Send money with just a tap: Send or receive USDC on Base for free by using NFC tap-to-pay in person. Transfer in seconds and get it immediately in your account. 

- Customize your space: You own your social profile. Customize it, theme it, and bring it with you anywhere you go. 

- Earn, just by holding crypto: Activate USDC rewards and earn up to 3.35% APY just by holding USDC.


Chat With Your Friends

Chat is now more than conversations. Powered by XMTP, they’re living, breathing spaces where you can share apps, send money, or even message AI agents – and it’s all end-to-end encrypted and private.

- Build a community: Create group chats, manage conversations, and share your social content, all without leaving the app.

- Transact with AI: Make trades, send money, or even balance your portfolio with the help of AI agents like Bankr or Mamo that integrate directly with messaging. 

- Send funds to friends: Send or receive USDC on Base instantly within your chats with no transaction fees. 

- Keep everything private and secure: Every conversation is end-to-end encrypted, so you have ownership and privacy of your discussions.


A New Day One for Base

Today marks a new chapter for Base and everyone building with us. This vision brings everything together: social, identity, apps, payments. All powered by Base. All open by default.

What isn’t changing is that we’ll continue to build in the open, with open source code, open standards, and open markets. This isn’t something we’re building alone. It’s being shaped by thousands of developers, creators, and communities building on Base every day. We invite everyone to sign up to try the new Base App, share your feedback, and most importantly, keep building alongside us. Your participation is what will truly shape the next iteration of the internet.

Download the Base App today.


Features may not be available in all regions. This page and the content herein is for informational purposes only and does not constitute the provision of investment advice.  This material is not (i) an offer, or solicitation of an offer, to invest in, or to buy or sell, any interests or shares, or to participate in any investment or trading strategy, (ii) intended to provide accounting, legal, or tax advice, or investment recommendations. The information is believed to be current as of the date indicated and may not be updated or otherwise revised to reflect information that subsequently became available or a change in circumstances after the date of publication.  Recipients should consult their advisors before making any investment decision.  We provide access to third party services in the Base App only as a convenience, do not have control over their content, do not warrant or endorse, and are not responsible for the availability or legitimacy of, the content, products, assets, or services on or accessible from those third party services (including any related websites, resources or links displayed therein). When accessing and transacting on or with third party services using the Base App, you understand that unless otherwise stated, you are at no time transacting with, or transferring your assets to, Coinbase. Your use of any third party service may also be subject to additional terms and conditions between you, on the one hand, and the provider(s) of such third party service, on the other hand. USDC rewards rate is subject to change and can vary by region. Customers will be able to see the latest applicable rates directly within their accounts.

]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Tso Thoughts | Nov 2025, Baselana is Here]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/baselana 6bKOrNvC0fSA4cn12T5p Sat, 06 Dec 2025 18:48:59 GMT Welcome to the Tso Thoughts newsletter! Every month, I curate my best thoughts, ideas, and observations on crypto and the industry at large.

Just Use Baselana

Companies Choosing Base

Launch Your Token on Base

Build Your Startup on Base

New Mini Apps

Tweets of the Month

Consumer Apps / Experiences I Liked

Infrastructure / Tooling Updates

And that’s my monthly roundup! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and follow me to stay in the loop.


]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Traditional Banking Institutions Moving Onchain]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/institutions-onchain H0MglBf6oaAbEbpe0w97 Fri, 14 Nov 2025 04:48:59 GMT The Financial System is Moving Onchain

To build a global economy, Base is committed to bringing financial assets onchain – enabling faster, cheaper, near-instant settlement on onchain rails.

Today, money still moves through closed systems like ACH, SWIFT, and Fedwire. These networks were not built for programmability or real-time operations – often taking days, introducing friction, and resulting in capital sitting idle. Onchain infrastructure changes that. By using Base, institutions can move capital globally in seconds, for less than a cent.


Moving Assets on Fast, Cheap, Secure Onchain Payment Rails

To take advantage of these global onchain payment rails, J.P. Morgan launched a USD-backed permissioned deposit token on Base called JPMD through Kinexys by J.P. Morgan. These are USD-denominated and backed 1:1 by deposits – combining the programmability of onchain finance with the trust and compliance that regulated financial institutions require. It’s specifically designed to allow J.P. Morgan institutional clients to move money onchain – 24/7, instantly, securely, at a fraction of a cent.

J.P. Morgan is the latest addition to the growing list of 200+ global financial institutions that Coinbase's Crypto-as-a-Service platform supports. These institutions – including banks, brokers, fintechs, and payment providers – leverage the platform to build crypto-powered products for custody, trading, tokenization, and payments.


Base is for Global Capital Markets

Onchain capital is here. It’s faster, more liquid, always available, and being built on Base. We’re unlocking a new class of financial tools, such as:

- Real-time settlement of institutional payments and treasury flows

- Onchain liquidity management and cash positioning

- Programmable payouts, lending, and credit infrastructure

- Seamless global reconciliation and reporting

As more institutions bring assets to Base, the onchain global economy is becoming real. J.P. Morgan and traditional financial institutions moving onchain is a major leap forwards towards one of our key strategic pillars for 2025: “Base is for markets.” The more assets and liquidity we bring to Base, the faster we’ll build the global onchain economy – with better, faster, cheaper, and more secure payment rails for money movement.


J.P. Morgan’s deposit token (JPMD) is a permissioned product designed exclusively for eligible institutional clients and is not available to retail or individual consumers. Availability is limited to qualified institutional participants.

]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Startups Accelerating on Base]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/accelerate-on-base 6Ry3ngBTwAHse1db7BWh Wed, 12 Nov 2025 16:17:32 GMT Raises in the Base Ecosystem

Lots of big raises in the Base ecosystem recently:

- fomo: $17M

- Burner: $6.1M

- Kite AI: $33M

- Limitless: $10M

- Daylight: $75M

- Kalshi: $300M

- CipherOwl: $15M

- Coinflow: $25M

- RedotPay: $47M

- Share: $5M

- Bastion: $14.6M

- Senpi: $5M

- The Clearing Company: $15M

- LEGION: $5M

- o1.exchange: $4.2M

- OpenMind: $20M

- Billy Bets: $1M

- XMTP: $20M

- Remix: $5M

- Veda: $18M

- Nook: $2.5M

- Yupp: $33M

- HeyElsa: $3M

- Towns Protocol: $13.3M

- Catena Labs: $18M

- Inco: $5M

- Symbiotic: $29M

- Glider: $4M

- P2P.me: $2M

- Privy: $15M

- Across: $41M

- Tenor: $15M

- Universal: $9M

- D3: $25M


Launch on Base

Launch on Base and raise capital faster, with long term investors, from anywhere in the world.

]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Tso Thoughts | Oct 2025, Mini App Szn]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/mini-app-szn bTlrzaK6sdGf43ZNpwqW Sat, 08 Nov 2025 19:45:12 GMT Welcome to the Tso Thoughts newsletter! Every month, I curate my best thoughts, ideas, and observations on crypto and the industry at large.

Everyone is Coming Onchain

Top New Mini Apps

Base App Updates

Onchain Capital Markets

Build With Us

Tweets of the Month

Consumer Apps / Experiences I Liked

Infrastructure / Tooling Updates

And that’s my monthly roundup! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and follow me to stay in the loop.


]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Base Mini App Demo]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/mini-app-demo Hwx9Z1uGnMOpwVZZGlQE Mon, 13 Oct 2025 23:45:45 GMT Mini App Demo

Building a mini app?

The Base team cooked up a Mini App Demo that you can use to test the latest functionalities / capabilities in the Base app.


Mini App Asset Generator

We also made a Mini App Asset Generator to help you easily generate manifest-compliant assets for your mini app.

Try them out and see what’s possible!

]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Tso Thoughts | Sep 2025, The State of Base]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/state-of-base fGwaUGrVKaU61Q9ZNwb1 Sat, 11 Oct 2025 17:30:42 GMT Welcome to the Tso Thoughts newsletter! Every month, I curate my best thoughts, ideas, and observations on crypto and the industry at large.

Exploring a Network Token

Build on Base

Grow on Base

Base Everywhere

BaseCamp⁰⁰² Highlights

Tweets of the Month

Consumer Apps / Experiences I Liked

Infrastructure / Tooling Updates

And that’s my monthly roundup! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and follow me to stay in the loop.


]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Get Funded on Base]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/get-funded-on-base cuoQKqdgskau2fRaZwNp Thu, 25 Sep 2025 18:55:07 GMT Funding Pathways

Whether you’re just starting to experiment or ready to become a full-time founder, Base provides structured funding opportunities that grow with your ambitions. Each pathway is designed for different stages of your builder journey, with clear progression paths between programs.

- Weekly Rewards: 2 ETH in weekly rewards for prototypes and experiments through Talent Protocol

- Builder Grants: Fast, retroactive grants ranging from 1-5 ETH – perfect for shipped projects ready to scale

- OP Retro Funding: Get rewarded for creating public goods that benefit the entire Base ecosystem

- Base Batches: Comprehensive founder program with mentorship, resources, and significant funding opportunities


Before You Apply

1. Build on Base

Deploy your project to Base mainnet. Some programs will consider early prototypes and testnet deployments but being deployed on Base mainnet gives you a leg up.

Verify your contract is deployed and functional on Base.

2. Document Your Work

Create clear documentation including setup instructions, project goals, and demo materials.

Ensure your README includes installation steps and your project has a working demo.

3. Track Your Impact

Measure relevant metrics like user adoption, transaction volume, or community engagement.

Even small metrics matter. Early usage data strengthens your application significantly.


Weekly Rewards: Start Building Today

The Builder Rewards Program distributes 2 ETH weekly to active builders – perfect for experimentation and learning.

Join Builder Rewards Program

How It Works

1. Build anything on Base (prototypes welcome)

2. Share your progress on social media

3. Earn weekly rewards based on activity

4. No minimum project size required

Prototyping counts! Early-stage projects and experiments are explicitly encouraged.

Perfect For

- First-time Base builders learning the ecosystem

- Developers experimenting with new ideas

- Weekend projects and hackathon submissions

- Educational content creation

Most successful Base builders started with weekly rewards while learning. Use this as your entry point to the ecosystem.


Builder Grants: Live on Base

Need funding for your shipped project? Base Builder Grants offer retroactive funding for projects that demonstrate real value to the ecosystem.

Apply for Builder Grants

What You Get

- Grant Range: 1-5 ETH

- Application Type: Retroactive (for shipped projects)

Already have a working prototype? You’re ready to apply. Builder Grants reward shipped code over perfect pitches.


OP Retro Funding: Long-term Impact

Creating tools, infrastructure, or resources that benefit everyone? OP Retro Funding recognizes and rewards public goods contributions to the Base ecosystem.

Track Your Impact on Atlas

Ideal Projects

- Open-source libraries and development frameworks

- Community tools and ecosystem infrastructure

- Analytics dashboards and ecosystem insights

Funding Approach

- Focus: Public goods and ecosystem-wide impact

- Recognition: Both funding and ecosystem acknowledgment

Application Process

1. Build Public Goods

Create tools, content, or infrastructure that benefits the entire Base community.

Ensure your project is open-source and publicly accessible.

2. Document Impact

Track usage metrics, community adoption, and ecosystem benefits.

Include testimonials from other builders who’ve used your tools.

3. Submit Through Atlas

Use the Optimism Atlas platform to track contributions and apply for funding.

Complete your Atlas profile with detailed project information.


Base Batches: The Founder Track

For builders ready to become founders, Base Batches provides the most comprehensive support system in the ecosystem. This recurring initiative combines structured development, mentorship, and significant funding opportunities.

Learn More About Base Batches

Program Structure

1. Buildathon Phase

Rapid development sprint with direct access to mentorship and technical resources from the Base team.

Complete your MVP and receive detailed technical feedback from Base core team members.

2. Incubator Program

4-week structured support to refine your product, validate your market, and develop your business model.

Achieve product-market fit indicators and prepare comprehensive pitch materials.

3. Pitch Day

Present to top-tier investors including Coinbase Ventures and other leading crypto VCs.

Secure follow-on funding commitments from investor network.

What Each Cohort Receives

- Direct mentorship from Base team members and industry experts

- Access to exclusive resources including technical infrastructure and partnerships

- Investor introductions to Coinbase Ventures and leading crypto funds

- Deep ecosystem integration with Base protocol and community

Base Batches #001 is currently in progress. The next Base Batches will be announced in the second half of 2025.


Get Started Today

Building something on Base? The ecosystem is ready to support you at every stage of your journey.

The best builders in Base started exactly where you are now. Most successful applicants begin with smaller programs and progress to larger opportunities.

Your Next Steps

1. Choose your starting point based on your current project stage

2. Join the Base community on Discord and social media

3. Start building and documenting your progress

4. Apply to your selected program with confidence

Don’t wait for the “perfect” project. The Base ecosystem values builders at all stages. Start where you are and grow with the community’s support.

Remember: Whether you’re tinkering with a weekend project or building the next breakthrough application, there’s a funding path designed for your journey. The Base ecosystem has invested millions in builders who started with nothing more than an idea and the determination to build.

Take the first step today.

]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Tso Thoughts | Aug 2025, A New Era of Access]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/new-era WtMlYhofGN9nbtbNq7Sv Sat, 06 Sep 2025 21:30:21 GMT Welcome to the Tso Thoughts newsletter! Every month, I curate my best thoughts, ideas, and observations on crypto and the industry at large.

DEX Trading

Everything Exchange

Your Universal Account

Builder Support

Coinbase NY Hub

Tweets of the Month

Consumer Apps / Experiences I Liked

Infrastructure / Tooling Updates

And that’s my monthly roundup! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and follow me to stay in the loop.


]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Base Mentorship Program]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/base-mentorship-program UnY4m0LOjI4U2A1fkaSJ Thu, 21 Aug 2025 17:00:41 GMT Program Purpose

The Base Mentorship Program connects builders with top operators and investors who have been there before, sharing lessons learned, making introductions, and helping you avoid costly mistakes. Mentors work closely with the Base team to ensure their advice is actionable and aligned with your stage and goals.


Base Mentors

Base Mentors are experienced founders, operators, and subject matter experts across key verticals who volunteer their time to support builders in the Base ecosystem. They offer guidance on topics like product strategy, go-to-market, technical architecture, growth, fundraising, and more. We work directly with builders to pair them with the right mentor for their needs.


Current Mentors

Name

Affiliation

Alex Aves

Coinbase

Alexander Cutler

Aerodrome

Alok Vasudev

Standard Crypto

Andrew Allen

Coinbase

Andrew Leone

Opyn (acq. Coinbase)

Anthony Bassili

Coinbase Asset Management

Antonio García Martínez

Spindl (acq. Coinbase)

Conor Grogan

Coinbase

Conner Swenberg

Station Labs (acq. Coinbase)

Dariush Aghai

Study Hall Creative

David Espinel

Social Graph Ventures

Elena Nadolinski

Iron Fish (acq. Coinbase)

Franklin Bi

Pantera Capital

Ian Dutra

a16z crypto

Jack Gorman

Variant

Jacob Frantz

Sensible (acq. Coinbase)

Jai Prasad

Definitive

Jakub Rusiecki

1kx

Jay Drain Jr

a16z crypto

Jonathan Wu

Asylum Ventures

Kaito Cunningham

Utopia Labs (acq. Coinbase)

Katie Chiou

Archetype

Lincoln Murr

Coinbase

Maria Shen

Electric Capital

Mark Beylin

Haun Ventures

Mike Tomaino

1confirmation

Nick Tomaino

1confirmation

Nina Suthers

Variant

Robin Ji

Liquifi (acq. Coinbase)

Ryan Prescott

a16z crypto

Simone “Limone” Staffa

Builders Garden

Winnie Lau

Strobe Ventures


Program Disclaimer: The Base Mentorship Program is an educational / networking initiative only. Participation does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, an offer or solicitation to buy / sell any security, or an endorsement by Base / Coinbase of any project, token, or investment. Base does not arrange, negotiate, or receive compensation for investments and is not acting as a broker, dealer, or finder. Mentors participate in a personal capacity. If a mentor later chooses to invest in a project, any discussion must occur independently of this program and without Base involvement.

]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Tso Thoughts | Jul 2025, Base’s Next Chapter]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/next-chapter wOsRuHrRGcPvAsHOAmO5 Sun, 10 Aug 2025 17:07:42 GMT Welcome to the Tso Thoughts newsletter! Every month, I curate my best thoughts, ideas, and observations on crypto and the industry at large.

The Base App

Base Account

Onchain Summer

Everyone Is Building on Base

Coinbase Bringing Crypto Mainstream

Tweets of the Month

Consumer Apps / Experiences I Liked

Infrastructure / Tooling Updates

And that’s my monthly roundup! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and follow me to stay in the loop.


]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso) <![CDATA[Phase 4 of the Coinbase Secret Master Plan]]> https://paragraph.com/@cryptso/phase-4 r7GglmkBfHayGXOI4VX7 Thu, 31 Jul 2025 17:56:53 GMT Moving Our Business Onchain

So excited for more and more of Coinbase’s existing and new users, assets, and products to come onchain via Base.

Onchain innovation is literally happening across the entire company right now – Base may be the most visible, but every single team at Coinbase is thinking about how to improve consumer, developer, business, and institutional experiences by using onchain rails – and the speed at which this is happening is only accelerating week over week.


Disrupting Ourselves but Growing the Pie

Brian Armstrong shared Coinbase’s four phase Secret Master Plan back in 2016, and today Coinbase is transitioning from phase 3 (100M people) to phase 4 (1B people) – we are deliberately disrupting our own successful exchange business by going all-in onchain, such as storing more corporate and customer USDC balances on Base, bringing more Base DeFi products to Coinbase users, onboarding more Coinbase users to Base, launching more major wrapped assets, tokenizing more asset types, integrating native DEX support, and more.

Coinbase and Base will bring the power of onchain to 1B people to create an open financial system for the world, and we will use our lessons to hopefully help more Fortune 500 companies like PayPal, Stripe, Shopify, J.P. Morgan, Samsung, Chase, etc. build products onchain.


Once in a Generation Company

Working at Coinbase feels so much like a high-slope startup that sometimes it’s easy to forget that we are a publicly traded company in the S&P 500, pushing head first into doing things onchain.

There were and there will continue to be skeptics, but our approach will remain the same – to tune out the noise, focus on the tech, and think long term – innovation is non-consensus, and I believe that this period of Coinbase aggressively moving onchain and proactively disrupting our core business is going to be looked back on as one of the greatest corporate strategic moves in history.

]]> cryptso@newsletter.paragraph.com (David Tso)