In a recent thread on X, Drew Coffman highlighted three standout apps building on the Base blockchain, showcasing the platform's potential as an open stack for next-gen applications. This comes from a discussion featuring Jesse Pollak, head of Base, in an interview with Fortune Crypto. Base, an Ethereum Layer 2 solution developed by Coinbase, aims to make blockchain more accessible with low fees and high speed—perfect for everything from DeFi to meme tokens.

The thread quotes the official Base account sharing the interview clip, where Pollak talks about building a global economy on Ethereum's Superchain. He emphasizes how Base is evolving into a hub for innovative projects. Coffman then spotlights three apps: Morpho Labs, Zora, and Shopify. Let's break them down and see how they tie into the meme token world.

Morpho Labs: Seamless Lending and Borrowing

Morpho Labs is revolutionizing DeFi (decentralized finance, which means financial services without traditional banks) by making lending and borrowing crypto assets easier and more efficient. On Base, it allows users to lend out their tokens or borrow against them with minimal friction. This is huge for meme token enthusiasts because many memes start with community funding or liquidity pools. Imagine borrowing against your favorite meme coin to buy more without selling—Morpho makes that seamless.

In the interview, Pollak notes how apps like Morpho are creating healthy markets for assets, including cultural ones like memes. This infrastructure could boost meme token liquidity, helping them gain traction faster.

Zora: Rethinking Creator Payouts

Zora is all about social and creator tools onchain. It's a platform where creators can mint NFTs (non-fungible tokens, unique digital assets) and get paid directly from fans. But it's evolving beyond just art—think social tokens or meme-based communities where creators reward holders with exclusive content.

Coffman points out how Zora is changing how social pays creators, which aligns perfectly with meme culture. Memes thrive on community and virality, and Zora's model could let meme creators monetize their work on Base, perhaps through token-gated access or royalty shares. Pollak in the video describes it as enabling people to own a piece of creators' profiles, fostering a more direct fan-creator economy.

Shopify: Global Commerce Onchain

Shopify, the e-commerce giant, is moving into blockchain with onchain integrations. This means merchants can accept crypto payments, issue NFTs, or even run loyalty programs on Base. For meme tokens, this opens doors to real-world utility—like buying merch with your meme coin or creating branded stores.

Pollak highlights Shopify as an example of traditional companies going onchain, predicting a future where global commerce happens seamlessly across borders without high fees. In the meme space, this could mean meme projects launching their own shops, turning viral tokens into actual businesses.

One reply in the thread brings memes front and center: Shield, a pro-crypto meme token on Base supporting initiatives like Stand With Crypto. It's pitched as a movement protecting the future of crypto, complete with fun visuals like this Lion King-inspired image. This shows how Base's app ecosystem isn't just for serious finance—it's fertile ground for memes too.

Other replies echo the excitement, with one simply posting "based"—a nod to both the chain and the slang for something cool and unapologetic. Comments suggest synergies, like combining lending with creator payouts for indie shops, which could supercharge meme-driven commerce.

Base is beginning to explore its own network token, which could further incentivize building on the platform. For meme token creators, this means lower barriers to entry and more tools to engage communities. If you're into blockchain, keeping an eye on Base's growth is key—it's where the next big meme might launch.

Check out the original thread on X for the full discussion and video interview. As Base matures, expect more innovations that blend finance, social, and commerce, all fueling the meme token renaissance.