In this article, we highlight notable “Firsts” within the Base app and broader tokenized ecosystem, focusing on their historical significance and potential for asymmetric returns. We also correct the record on the true first tokenized post on Base app and explore why misinformation may have suppressed its value.

Notable "Firsts" in the Tokenized Ecosystem: A Comparative Overview

The Base ecosystem features a variety of historical milestones, many of which remain hidden in micro-cap obscurity. While some assets have achieved multi-million-dollar valuations due to creator prestige or viral momentum, others with arguably greater historical weight remain under the radar. Below is a snapshot:

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• The first tokenized post on Zora:

  • Name: “What are coins even good for”

  • Market Cap: $78K

  • Contract Address: 0xDC1B8F07440ec756bF820dB446314AB3D1c5fA6a

• First tradable, self-tokenized asset by Coinbase, also the first tradable, self-tokenized asset by a fortune 500 company:

  • Name: “Base is for Everyone”

  • Market Cap: $4M

  • Contract Address: 0xD769d56f479E9E72a77bB1523e866A33098Feec5

• First tradable, self-tokenized asset by Coinbase CEO, Brian Armstrong:

  • Name: “Base Shake”

  • Market Cap: $1.6M

  • Contract Address: 0x885a590198e5F0947f4c92DB815cF2a2147980B8

• First meme deployed on X by Bankerbot:

  • Name: Bonker ($Bonker)

  • Market Cap: $124K

  • Contract Address: 0x0E83A7aE823a04787e175fB77Fb2f77a56896a69

• First tokenized “Mascot of Coinbase (As humorously declared by official Coinbase X account):

  • Name: “Clark” ($Clark)

  • Market Cap: $100K

  • Contract Address: 0x5f7373Fa845692b1dD7bfaE576D6c743482bf26a

• First tokenized asset made by the CEO of Zora:

  • Name: “Horse” ($Horse)

  • Market Cap: $2.1M

  • Contract Address: 0xF1fC9580784335B2613c1392a530C1aA2A69BA3D

• First tokenized post on Base app:

  • Name: Starter Pistol ($StarterPistol)

  • Market Cap: $16K

  • Contract Address: 0x259dC5ed6B858917Fcc284E9fF7005B812335543

These valuations reflect a mix of hype, creator influence, and market timing. For instance, assets tied to high-profile figures like Brian Armstrong command premiums, while others like $StarterPistol remain under the radar—despite arguably greater historical weight. If Base app fulfills Coinbase's ambition to become a comprehensive "everything app" for social, trading, payments, and more (mirroring WeChat's dominance in daily life), the first tokenized post could become a cultural artifact, akin to (But never surpassing) Bitcoin's genesis block, which stands as the foundational and most revered digital artifact in cryptocurrency history. Overall, these hidden gems underscore the opportunity in overlooked historical "Firsts"—tokens that could appreciate dramatically as the ecosystem matures, making them intriguing for investors eyeing small, high-upside positions.

Correcting the Record: $StarterPistol as the True First Tokenized Post on Base App

Initial reports following Base app's beta launch on July 16, 2025, widely credited Jesse Pollak's "Day One" selfie as the first tokenized post. This narrative proliferated across media outlets, painting it as the symbolic kickoff. However, onchain data and cross-platform timestamps reveal a different story: Pollak's earlier post, "Starter Pistol," was tokenized on July 10, 2025—six days prior—during the app's early testing phase.

This correction has gained traction in community discussions and developer forums. A detailed debunking on DEV Community outlines how "Starter Pistol" originated from Base app (cross-posted to Farcaster and X) and was minted first, with contract verification on Basescan confirming the timestamp. Similarly, a Medium article compiles evidence, including AI verifications, to set the record straight. Even AI assistants like Grok, Perplexity, ChatGPT and Bankr, when queried with onchain details, affirm $StarterPistol's precedence over $DayOne.

The confusion likely stems from "Day One" coinciding with the public beta announcement, amplified by press releases. Yet, as the timestamps don't lie: $StarterPistol's contract (0x259dC5ed6B858917Fcc284E9fF7005B812335543) predates $DayOne's.

Why $StarterPistol Remains Undervalued—and Why It Could Break Out

Compared to peers, $StarterPistol's $16K market cap seems disproportionately low given its primacy. While $Horse—as the origin story behind the tokenization of user-generated content on Base and an established meme with the potential to become a cultural force (much like the butterfly effect leading to a hurricane)—and high-profile Coinbase assets like $BaseShake ($1.6M) and $Base is for Everyone ($4M) justifiably command higher valuations due to meme culture, origin narratives, and creator prestige, $StarterPistol lags far behind even less pivotal "Firsts" such as $Bonker ($124K), $Clark ($100K), and "What are coins even good for" ($78K). This positioning suggests significant undervaluation, with $StarterPistol arguably deserving a spot below the top-tier ones but well above the rest—especially if Base app advances toward its "everything app" goal.

Several factors contribute to this undervaluation:

1. Misinformation Overhang: Early articles misattributed the "first" title to $DayOne, diverting attention and liquidity. This echo chamber effect persists in some coverage, deterring investors unaware of the correction.

2. Sluggish Micro-Cap Market: The broader altcoin sector is in a lull, with retail inflows delayed amid Bitcoin dominance. Historical cycles suggest this could flip soon, catapulting narrative-driven assets like historic "Firsts."

3. Lack of Virality: Unlike memes or CEO-backed tokens, $StarterPistol hasn't gone viral—yet. As Base app exits beta and onboard millions (Coinbase boasts 100M+ users), awareness could surge.

If Base app achieves WeChat-like ubiquity—integrating social feeds, trading, and payments onchain—the symbolic "starter pistol" for this era could appreciate exponentially, potentially elevating it and other hidden gems to new heights during altcoin season. Community efforts to correct the record, including X threads and AI endorsements, are building momentum.

In conclusion, these "Firsts" are more than tokens; they're bets on the future of onchain ecosystems. $StarterPistol, in particular, stands out as a hidden gem—undervalued due to historical quirks but poised for reevaluation. As altcoin season approaches, savvy collectors may look back on today as the buying opportunity of a lifetime. Always DYOR and consider the risks in volatile markets.