Jesse Pollak, the creator of Base, just dropped a intriguing tweet that's got the crypto world buzzing: "could @base become a network state? incredible talk by @XenBH." (original tweet) Attached is a video from Base Camp where Xen Baynham-Herd, Head of Growth at Base, explores this wild idea.

If you're new to the term, a "network state" is a concept popularized by Balaji Srinivasan in his book The Network State. It's basically a digital-first society that operates like a country but starts online, with shared values, governance via smart contracts, and eventually even physical territories. Think of it as a decentralized nation built on blockchain tech— no passports required, just a wallet.

Breaking Down the Talk: Base as a Network State

In the talk, Xen lays out how Base—an Ethereum Layer 2 chain built by Coinbase—is already ticking many boxes for becoming a network state. He maps Base's features against Balaji's definition:

• Social Network: Base isn't just a blockchain; it's got the Base app, which combines social features like discovery, chat, payments, and trading. It's where builders, creators, and traders hang out.

• Moral Innovation: Base champions values like openness over closed systems, global accessibility, and ownership sparking creativity. These aren't just buzzwords—they guide how apps and communities form on the chain.

• Sense of National Consciousness: With communities in over 25 countries (shoutout to the country leads who stood up during the talk), Base fosters a real sense of belonging. Events like Base Camp bring people together IRL.

• Recognized Founder: That's Jesse Pollak himself, leading the charge.

• Capacity for Collective Action: Base is all about building—founders create apps, creators distribute content, and traders provide capital. Together, they've generated over $1 billion in fee revenue since launch.

• In-Person Civility: The community is known for being respectful and collaborative, especially compared to other crypto spaces.

• Integrated Cryptocurrency: Base is crypto-native, with plans for more decentralization.

• Consensual Government via Smart Contracts: We're getting there with stage-one decentralization.

• Archipelago of Territories: Physical communities worldwide, though not yet crowdfunded.

• Virtual Capital: The Base app serves as a digital hub.

• On-Chain Census: Millions of users, billions in assets ($12B total, $4B in stables), and massive transaction volume show the scale needed for "diplomatic recognition."

Xen admits we're not fully there yet, but the progress is real. Base has processed $3B in transactions and hosts thousands of apps, making it a powerhouse for on-chain activity.

Tying It to Meme Tokens: Why This Matters for the Meme Economy

Now, let's connect this to what we love at Meme Insider—meme tokens. Base has exploded as a meme coin haven, with hits like Brett, Toshi, and countless others launching daily. The chain's low fees and fast transactions make it perfect for the viral, community-driven nature of memes.

If Base evolves into a network state, imagine meme communities turning into mini-digital nations. Your favorite meme token could fund real-world events, governance decisions via DAOs, or even physical meetups. Creators earn more directly from on-chain content (beating Web2 platforms' cuts), traders get sustained upside from quality projects, and founders build profitable apps that supercharge the ecosystem.

This isn't just theory. The talk highlights how the "builder network"—founders, creators, and traders—forms a growth engine. Meme tokens thrive here because they're often the entry point for new users, blending fun with finance.

Spotlight on Base in India: A Real-World Example

The video also features Saumya Saxena, who leads Base efforts in India. With over a billion people and a fifth of the world's developers, India is a key battleground for on-chain adoption.

Saumya shares how they've built a vibrant community: 2,000+ builders, creators driving distribution, and programs like the Fellowship where fellows ship apps in 10 days. One standout? Shitaj's Play Shade, which racked up 1,000+ users and $15K in trading fees in just 72 hours post-launch.

India's got 180+ projects on Base, from on-chain ballers (a massive community) to talent networks and trader groups. As Saumya puts it, "The world's largest democracy is taking its first steps on chain," paving the way for billions more.

The Bigger Picture: Building a Better Future

Xen wraps up by emphasizing why this matters: the current system is broken—unfair and inefficient. Instead of protesting or gambling it away (yes, even in meme coins), we're building something better. Base is more than crypto; it's a path to a decentralized, empowered future.

For meme token enthusiasts, this vision means more tools, bigger communities, and real economic impact. Whether you're a trader spotting the next 100x or a creator memeing your way to fame, Base's network state potential could redefine the game.

Keep an eye on Base—it's not just scaling Ethereum; it might be scaling society itself. What do you think? Could meme tokens power the first network state? Drop your thoughts in the comments!