Base App redesigns around trading focus
Base App is changing direction. The consumer application, which launched back in July, is being redesigned around what they’re calling a “trading-first” business model. This shift comes from early user feedback, apparently. Hundreds of thousands of people have used the app since its introduction—creating, trading, saving, spending, and building on it.
But now the focus is narrowing. Jesse Pollak (jesse.base.eth) announced the change in an X post, explaining that the app will make trading its main operation. The idea, he says, is to bring demand and distribution to assets throughout the onchain economy. They want Base App to become what he describes as “the best app at whatever you do in the onchain economy.”
User feedback drives the change
Looking at the announcement thread, Pollak mentioned three key themes from user feedback. Several respondents apparently requested higher quality assets. Interaction with those assets was cited as one of the main applications people wanted. So the team is responding to that.
The update suggests Base App will become more use-case oriented. It’ll provide a broader selection of assets too. In what they’re calling a “tokenized and tradable world,” the ambition is to move demand and distribution everywhere. The app would ideally become the go-to location for trading and using all assets.
Questions about mini apps
This change raised some questions though. Particularly about mini apps. Those had been sold as consumer experience tools and onboarding creators. Now with this finance-first strategy, some are wondering about their relevance.
Juampi.eth responded to the announcement, questioning the mini apps’ place in this new focus. He mentioned that he considered the finance-first strategy to align with previous feedback he’d seen. He said he was looking forward to seeing how Base App evolves in what he called a “new tokenized era.”
Pollak responded to those concerns. He said mini apps are still a priority. They’ll still be part of the vision. The team is working on improving discoverability and refining tooling to measure their performance. That tooling includes leaderboards and impact measures—like how many people mini apps have onboarded.
He further stated that the aim of transitioning to the trading-first model is to move more distribution, not less. Which suggests mini apps might actually benefit from this distribution focus.
Brian Armstrong’s perspective
Brian Armstrong also shared some thoughts on Base App’s development. He confirmed the product is still in iteration mode following its launch. That makes sense—it’s only been a few months.
Looking forward, Armstrong indicated the app would target retail investors and traders. The trader segment is expected to grow, apparently. The feed will be extended to cover a larger range of assets and assist all those building on the foundation.
Armstrong also mentioned that Base App will be multi-chain. Base will remain its main focus, but users will be able to access anything they want onchain using the product. The goal, he explained, is to establish an environment that enables innovation and onchain building by concentrating on introducing more demand.
It’s interesting to watch this evolution. The app started with broader ambitions—creation, trading, saving, spending, building. Now it’s narrowing to trading-first. I think that’s probably a smart move, honestly. Trying to do everything often means doing nothing particularly well.
But we’ll have to see how it plays out. The mini apps question is valid. If the focus becomes heavily financial, will those creative tools still get attention? Pollak says yes, but actions will matter more than words.
The multi-chain aspect is noteworthy too. Base as the main chain makes sense, but allowing access to anything onchain could make the app more useful. If they can pull that off without making things too complicated.
Overall, it feels like Base App is finding its footing. Listening to users, adjusting course. That’s probably how good products get built. Not by sticking rigidly to initial plans, but by adapting to what people actually want.
