Base Nears Launch of 1:1-Backed Tokenized Stocks

Base, Coinbase’s Ethereum layer-2 network, initially used onchain social products, creator tokens and the Base App to attract mainstream users. After that strategy struggled to gain traction, the network shifted its emphasis toward trading, stablecoin payments, AI agents and tokenized assets. The pivot matters because putting regulated equities onchain could extend market access beyond conventional trading hours and make stock-linked assets usable across decentralized finance, positioning Base as financial infrastructure rather than primarily a social platform.

On July 21, 2026, Base creator Jesse Pollak said Coinbase and Base were close to launching tokenized equities backed one-for-one by real-world shares, citing stronger credibility, capital efficiency and potential institutional adoption. Coinbase first detailed the product on June 16, saying users would be able to trade, hold and redeem shares onchain and receive dividends automatically, without derivatives or IOUs. The initial rollout is slated for non-U.S. customers in August 2026, while supported stocks, fees and the precise legal structure have yet to be disclosed.