Have you ever wondered what it takes to break into the world of blockchain development, especially when resources are scarce? Well, the story shared in a recent tweet from the Base network account might just be the inspiration you need. It's about @DefiDevrel, a talented builder from Africa who kicked off his coding journey in the most unconventional way—on his mom's phone.

In the tweet, Base introduces @DefiDevrel as a "based builder" who started learning onchain coding (that's building applications directly on the blockchain) using his mother's smartphone. The post includes a captivating video interview where he chats with Jesse Pollak, the creator of Base, about his humble beginnings. The message is simple yet powerful: "Just build it."

Let's dive into the video's highlights. @DefiDevrel explains how he dropped out of medical school—something his parents pushed for—and pursued tech against their initial wishes. Without a laptop, he coded on his mom's phone, pretending to play games to avoid suspicion. During the week, he'd study medicine, but on weekends, he'd travel to a friend's place to use a laptop, screenshot his progress, and post it on social media without his parents knowing.

His persistence paid off. By early 2022, he built his first smart contract (a self-executing program on the blockchain that powers things like decentralized apps and tokens). In April that year, he landed his first paid gig: building a DEX (decentralized exchange, a platform for trading crypto without intermediaries) for $700. Though he admits it was on the low side, it was an exciting milestone.

This story resonates deeply in the crypto community, especially on platforms like Base, an Ethereum Layer 2 network designed for fast, cheap transactions. Base has become a hotspot for meme tokens—those fun, community-driven cryptocurrencies often inspired by internet memes. Builders like @DefiDevrel are the backbone of this ecosystem, creating the tools and infrastructure that let meme creators launch and trade their tokens easily.

The tweet sparked a wave of positive reactions. Community members congratulated him, sharing how his journey inspired them. For instance, one user recalled advising him to value his skills higher after he charged just $150 for a token build. Others called him a "based chad" and celebrated his problem-solving prowess.

@DefiDevrel isn't just any builder; his X bio reveals he's a DevRel Engineer, a Base Global Builder, and a Coinbase Developer Ambassador. He's also working on @usezoracle, which could be an exciting project in the oracle space (oracles feed real-world data to blockchains).

Stories like this highlight how blockchain technology is democratizing opportunities worldwide. In Africa, where access to high-end tech can be limited, innovators are finding ways to contribute to global networks like Base. If you're into meme tokens, remember that behind every viral coin is a robust platform built by dedicated developers.

If this tale motivates you to start building, check out resources on Base's developer docs or explore meme token launches on the network. Who knows? Your journey might begin on a borrowed phone too.

For the full video and thread, head over to the original tweet.