In the fast-paced world of crypto, where meme coins can skyrocket or crash overnight, it's refreshing to see big names like Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong jumping into the fray. A recent X post by user @d_gilz highlights this perfectly, quoting Armstrong's defense of his involvement with a meme token tied to Balaji Srinivasan. The message? Founders actively using and participating in their product's ecosystem isn't just okay—it's downright beneficial.

Let's break it down. Armstrong, who leads one of the biggest crypto exchanges, recently shared a screenshot of buying nearly 5 million BALAJIS tokens— a meme coin created on the Zora platform, inspired by Balaji Srinivasan, Coinbase's former CTO and a prominent figure in the crypto space. Zora is a creator-focused protocol built on Ethereum, often used for launching tokens that represent ownership in content or ideas. BALAJIS, valued at around $40,000 for Armstrong's purchase at the time, isn't your typical utility token; it's more of a fun, speculative nod to Balaji's influence and creativity.

This move sparked some backlash. One user called it a "sub 5m mcap shitter," slang for a low-market-cap shitcoin—basically, a risky, low-value meme token that skeptics see as worthless. But Armstrong clapped back: "Have you met Balaji? Owning a piece of his content/creativity isn't a 'shitter'." He emphasized that while people can trade whatever they want, this was about appreciating real value in creator-driven assets.

That's where @d_gilz's post comes in, paired with Norman Rockwell's iconic "Freedom of Speech" painting. It shows a everyday guy standing up in a town hall, symbolizing the courage to voice opinions in a community. In crypto terms, it's a metaphor for founders like Armstrong engaging directly with the ecosystems they build. Coinbase's Base network, a layer-2 solution on Ethereum, is designed to make crypto more accessible and fun, including meme coins. By participating, Armstrong isn't just talking the talk; he's walking the walk, showing confidence in the platform and encouraging others to join.

Why does this matter for meme token enthusiasts? Meme coins thrive on community and hype, but when influential founders get involved, it adds legitimacy. It signals that these aren't just pump-and-dump schemes—they can represent cultural or creative value. Balaji Srinivasan himself is a thought leader, known for his bold predictions on tech and society, like his famous bet on Bitcoin hitting $1 million. Tokens like BALAJIS let fans "own a piece" of that vibe, blending fandom with finance.

For blockchain practitioners, this is a reminder to stay hands-on. Participating keeps you grounded, helps spot issues early, and builds trust. As the crypto market evolves, seeing CEOs like Armstrong dive into meme coins on Base could spark more innovation, drawing in new users who start with fun tokens and graduate to deeper DeFi plays.

If you're hunting for the next big meme, keep an eye on founder-backed projects. They might just be the ones that stick around. Check out the full thread on X and see what the community is saying—crypto is all about that conversation, after all.