Jesse Pollak, the founder of Base—a popular layer-2 blockchain built on Ethereum—recently sparked a lively discussion in the crypto community with a simple yet provocative question on X (formerly Twitter). In his post, he asked: "Who is going to be the first fund to take a scaled (e.g. $5m+) long hold position in an index of onchain creators? Seems like a relatively no-brainer opportunity to win as the onchain creator economy grows."
For those new to the space, "onchain" refers to activities and assets that live directly on a blockchain, like smart contracts, tokens, or decentralized apps. The "creator economy" is the ecosystem where individuals—think artists, influencers, developers, or meme makers—monetize their content or ideas. When combined, the onchain creator economy involves creators building and earning through blockchain-based tools, often via tokens, NFTs, or decentralized platforms. Pollak's idea of an "index" here likely means a basket of these creator-related assets, similar to an ETF but for crypto, allowing investors to bet on the sector's growth without picking individual winners.
This isn't just idle chatter. The onchain creator space is exploding, especially with meme tokens leading the charge. Meme coins, which often start as fun, community-driven projects inspired by internet culture, have become a gateway for creators to launch and scale their ideas. Platforms like Base make it easier and cheaper to deploy these tokens, attracting a wave of innovators. Pollak's post suggests that as this economy matures, traditional funds could see massive upside by going long—meaning holding for the long term—on a diversified index of these assets.
Why This Matters for Meme Token Enthusiasts
If you're deep into meme tokens, Pollak's question hits close to home. Meme coins aren't just jokes anymore; they're part of a broader creator movement where anyone can tokenizes their vibe, community, or concept. Take Solana's meme ecosystem or Base's own rising stars—these are prime examples of onchain creativity turning into real value.
Replies to Pollak's post poured in quickly, with users pitching their favorite projects. One suggested @BasedBonk_ as a feasible entry point with its low market cap, emphasizing the potential for growth in undervalued meme tokens. Another highlighted @basedvinecoin with a fun video clip, capturing the playful spirit of these communities. Even protocols like @reserveprotocol and @AlvaraProtocol chimed in, signaling readiness to facilitate such indexes through decentralized tools.
This buzz underscores a key trend: as meme tokens evolve, they're attracting serious money. A $5M+ fund position could legitimize the space further, drawing more liquidity and attention. For blockchain practitioners, it's a reminder to stay ahead—learning about indexing tools, tracking creator metrics, and spotting the next big meme wave.
Opportunities and Risks in Onchain Investing
Diving deeper, building an index of onchain creators could involve tools like decentralized token folios (DTFs) or basket tokens, where multiple assets are bundled into one tradable unit. Projects like Alvara or Reserve are already paving the way, making it simple to create and manage these.
But it's not all upside. The crypto market's volatility means long holds require strong conviction. Meme tokens, in particular, can pump hard but also dump fast if community hype fades. Funds entering this space would need to balance diversification with due diligence—focusing on creators with real engagement, utility, or cultural staying power.
Pollak's vision aligns perfectly with the ethos of platforms like Base, which prioritize accessibility and low fees to empower creators. As the ecosystem grows—potentially to trillions in value, as some replies hinted at with stablecoins—early movers could reap huge rewards.
If you're a creator or investor, this is your cue to explore. Check out emerging meme tokens, experiment with onchain tools, and keep an eye on funds that might take the plunge. The onchain creator economy is just getting started, and Pollak's post might be the spark that ignites institutional interest.