How the Base Blockchain Ecosystem Works. Top 5 Applications

RBK-cryptoPublished on 2025-12-24Last updated on 2025-12-24

Abstract

Base, a Layer 2 blockchain developed by Coinbase exchange, has become the largest L2 protocol by total value locked (TVL) in 2025, with over $4.35 billion in user deposits. A key differentiator is its lack of a native token, though its development team has confirmed plans to issue one. Base also led all L2s in cumulative revenue, generating over $80 million, and is second only to BNB Chain in monthly active users. The article highlights five key applications in its ecosystem: 1. **Aerodrome**: The leading DEX on Base with $440 million in deposits, operating on a ve(3,3) model. It is the primary liquidity hub and plans to merge with Velodrome. 2. **Virtuals Protocol**: A platform for creating, tokenizing, and monetizing autonomous AI agents, forming an "agent economy" powered by its VIRTUAL token. 3. **Clanker**: An AI agent tool for instantly deploying memecoins via text prompts on Farcaster, having launched over 500,000 tokens and generating nearly $50 million in fees. 4. **Limitless**: The largest prediction market on Base, with over $550 million in volume, allowing users to bet on event outcomes. 5. **Zora**: A social network that transforms user content into tradable tokens on Base, with creators earning a share of trading fees. Its integration with the Base App has increased its prominence. The ecosystem is noted for its high user activity and significant financial metrics, positioning Base as a major player in the L2 space.

"RBC-Crypto" does not provide investment advice, the material is published for informational purposes only. Cryptocurrency is a volatile asset that can lead to financial losses.

The Base blockchain network became the largest protocol among Layer 2 (L2) solutions by the volume of user funds locked in 2025. Base is being developed by the largest American crypto exchange, Coinbase. A key difference of the network from its rivals is the absence of a native token, although in early October, the exchange's top manager and developer of the crypto project, Jesse Pollak, confirmed the intention to issue its own cryptocurrency.

In 2025, Base took first place in terms of total revenue, i.e., the sum of fees paid by users among all L2s. It also became one of the most developed this year in terms of user activity.

By the end of December, Base's revenues amounted to over $80 million, which is three times the figure of its closest competitor, Arbitrum, with $24 million over the past 365 days. According to TokenTerminal, Base ranks second in the number of monthly users with a figure above 8 million, second only to BNB Chain (BNB) with a level of almost 18 million.

As of December 24, 2025, over $4.35 billion in user deposits were locked in Base. For comparison, the Tron (TRX) blockchain holds over $4.2 billion, and the BNB Chain (BNB) network holds over $6.3 billion, according to Defillama.

The team of the crypto project data aggregator Coingecko highlighted a list of applications, which included projects whose origins are linked to Base (the listing is in random order without highlighting any of them).

Aerodrome — Leading DEX

The largest decentralized exchange on Base with a user deposit volume of $440 million. It operates on the ve(3,3) model, where users lock native AERO tokens to receive a share of trading fees and voting rights in reward distribution. A merger with another major DEX project, Velodrome, into a single Aero platform based on two networks — Base and Optimism — is planned.

As the leading DEX, Aerodrome is the main liquidity hub for the entire Base ecosystem, possessing the largest and deepest liquidity pools for most of the blockchain network's tokens.

Virtuals Protocol — Platform for Launching AI Agents

Allows any user without programming skills to create, tokenize, and monetize autonomous AI agents on the blockchain. The platform has become an infrastructure for the "agent economy," where programs can interact with each other, and all computations are paid for with the native token VIRTUAL.

Clanker — AI Agent for Launching Memecoins

A tool for instantly deploying tokens on Base through text prompts on the Farcaster social network. Over 500,000 tokens have been launched through the project, generating nearly $50 million in fees for the creators. The project represents the SocialFi sector of the crypto market (Social Finance is a combination of decentralized finance (DeFi) and social networks).

Limitless — Decentralized Prediction Market

The largest prediction trading platform on Base with a volume of over $550 million. The platform allows users to bet on the outcome of events (for example, whether Bitcoin will reach a certain price) by buying "Yes" or "No" as conditional shares.

Zora — Social Network Where Content Becomes a Token

The project transforms user content into tokens on Base with the subsequent ability to trade them on DEXs like Uniswap. The author receives a share of the tokens and earns 50% of all trading fees. Interest in the project intensified after its integration with the Base App application — which combines social networks, trading, payments, app discovery, and earnings in one place. Content in Base App (posts) is tokenized and available for sale.

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Related Questions

QWhat is the Base blockchain and who is its main developer?

ABase is a Layer 2 (L2) blockchain solution and is developed by the largest American cryptocurrency exchange, Coinbase.

QWhat was a key distinguishing feature of the Base network compared to its competitors in 2025?

AA key distinguishing feature of the Base network was the absence of a native token, although the intention to issue one was confirmed by a top manager in October of that year.

QWhich application is the leading DEX on the Base blockchain and what is its user deposit volume?

AAerodrome is the leading Decentralized Exchange (DEX) on Base, with a user deposit volume of $440 million.

QWhat is the primary function of the Virtuals Protocol on the Base ecosystem?

AThe Virtuals Protocol is a platform that allows any user, without programming skills, to create, tokenize, and monetize autonomous AI agents on the blockchain, serving as infrastructure for an 'agent economy'.

QWhat type of platform is Limitless and what is its trading volume on Base?

ALimitless is the largest decentralized prediction market platform on Base, with a trading volume of over $550 million, allowing users to bet on the outcome of events.

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