Xen Baynham-Herd, Head of Global Growth at Base at Coinbase, sees on-chain infrastructure not as a niche experiment but as the foundation of the next internet. Xen Baynham-Herd, Head of Global Growth at Base at Coinbase, sees on-chain infrastructure not as a niche experiment but as the foundation of the next internet.

Xen Baynham-Herd on Building Base: From Experimental L2s to Real On-chain Adoption

2025/12/24 03:20
3 min read
For feedback or concerns regarding this content, please contact us at crypto.news@mexc.com

Xen Baynham-Herd, Head of Global Growth at Base at Coinbase, sees on-chain infrastructure not as a niche experiment but as the foundation of the next internet.

Speaking about Base, Coinbase’s Layer-2 network, Baynham-Herd explains what success really means for Base, how the builder environment is maturing, and why user experience—not grants or hype—will determine who wins.

What Success for Base Looks Like—and What Failure Would Mean

In an interview with CryptoNews, Baynham-Herd describes Base as a key piece in unlocking an on-chain future for the internet. In three to five years, success would mean that using on-chain applications feels as natural as using any app on a smartphone.

Users shouldn’t have to think about blockchain mechanics—they should simply experience speed, safety, and familiarity, while remaining fully in control of their digital lives.

Failure, by contrast, would be an inability to make on-chain experiences intuitive and democratic. If decentralised infrastructure cannot feel open, trustworthy, and seamless at scale, it risks remaining a niche rather than becoming the default digital layer of the internet.

Where Base Refuses to Compete in the L2 Arms Race

While many Layer-2 networks compete aggressively on fees and raw throughput, Baynham-Herd says Base’s differentiation lies elsewhere. Base already offers sub-second speeds and sub-cent fees, but performance alone is not the end goal.

Instead, Base prioritises user experience, distribution, and deep product integration. Its long-term success will be measured by trust, convenience, and scale—factors that matter far more to mainstream users than marginal fee reductions.

The Biggest Mistake Builders Make on Base

According to Baynham-Herd, the most common mistake founders make is failing to obsess over user experience. The strongest teams focus relentlessly on building products that attract and retain new users—not just crypto natives, but people entering the ecosystem for the first time.

He advises founders to ignore short-term noise and focus on creating applications that genuinely delight users. Sustainable growth, he argues, comes from solving real problems, not from chasing trends.

From Experimentation to Durable On-chain Products

Over the past 12 months, Baynham-Herd has seen a shift toward more serious teams committing to long-term development on Base. These builders are no longer just testing ideas—they are designing products meant to endure.

A key change is how teams think about wallets and identity. Wallets are evolving from simple key-management tools into representations of on-chain identity—spaces where participation, creation, and connection coexist. This shift is reshaping how products are designed and how users engage on-chain.

Why Regulation and Adoption Metrics Matter More Than Token Prices

Being closely linked to a regulated company like Coinbase is, in Baynham-Herd’s view, a strategic advantage rather than a limitation. Regulation provides transparency and consumer protection, which serious builders increasingly value as on-chain products reach mainstream audiences.

He also urges observers to look beyond token price movements when assessing adoption. Real traction, he says, is reflected in user growth and app engagement—not in whether a coin is going up or down. Durable on-chain businesses are built by teams whose users show up without incentives, driven by genuine belief in the product and its long-term value.

Market Opportunity
XEN Crypto Logo
XEN Crypto Price(XEN)
$0.000000004735
$0.000000004735$0.000000004735
-2.16%
USD
XEN Crypto (XEN) Live Price Chart

World Cup Combo: Aim for 200x

World Cup Combo: Aim for 200xWorld Cup Combo: Aim for 200x

Combine up to 20 World Cup matches in one order

Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact crypto.news@mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

CME Group to launch Solana and XRP futures options in October

CME Group to launch Solana and XRP futures options in October

The post CME Group to launch Solana and XRP futures options in October appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. CME Group is preparing to launch options on SOL and XRP futures next month, giving traders new ways to manage exposure to the two assets.  The contracts are set to go live on October 13, pending regulatory approval, and will come in both standard and micro sizes with expiries offered daily, monthly and quarterly. The new listings mark a major step for CME, which first brought bitcoin futures to market in 2017 and added ether contracts in 2021. Solana and XRP futures have quickly gained traction since their debut earlier this year. CME says more than 540,000 Solana contracts (worth about $22.3 billion), and 370,000 XRP contracts (worth $16.2 billion), have already been traded. Both products hit record trading activity and open interest in August. Market makers including Cumberland and FalconX plan to support the new contracts, arguing that institutional investors want hedging tools beyond bitcoin and ether. CME’s move also highlights the growing demand for regulated ways to access a broader set of digital assets. The launch, which still needs the green light from regulators, follows the end of XRP’s years-long legal fight with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. A federal court ruling in 2023 found that institutional sales of XRP violated securities laws, but programmatic exchange sales did not. The case officially closed in August 2025 after Ripple agreed to pay a $125 million fine, removing one of the biggest uncertainties hanging over the token. This is a developing story. This article was generated with the assistance of AI and reviewed by editor Jeffrey Albus before publication. Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters: Source: https://blockworks.co/news/cme-group-solana-xrp-futures
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/17 23:55
Perlis sedia perkenal 83 gua baharu sebagai produk ekopelancongan

Perlis sedia perkenal 83 gua baharu sebagai produk ekopelancongan

Raja Muda Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail bertitah penemuan gua itu membuka peluang besar kepada pakar pengkaji dan peminat aktiviti lasak untuk
Share
Free Malaysia Today2026/06/30 09:34
EBA Launches Consultation on MiCA Fines — Here’s Why It Matters

EBA Launches Consultation on MiCA Fines — Here’s Why It Matters

The EBA has launched a consultation on fines for significant crypto issuers under MiCA regulations. The post EBA Launches Consultation on MiCA Fines — Here’s Why
Share
Coinfomania2026/06/30 09:47