In a casual 10-minute car ride captured on video, Jesse Pollak, the creator of Base—an Ethereum layer-2 blockchain known for hosting popular meme tokens—sat down with Antonio Garcia Martinez and Xen Baynham-Herd to dive into why Latin America is set to become a powerhouse in the global onchain economy. The discussion, posted on X by Pollak, blends personal stories, travel reflections, and real-world crypto use cases that underscore the region's potential.

The conversation kicks off with Pollak attempting some Spanish, expressing his excitement about being in Buenos Aires for the first time. He praises the vibrant Base community in Latin America, calling the energy "electric." Base, for those new to it, is a scalable blockchain built on Ethereum that makes transactions cheaper and faster, which has made it a hotbed for meme coins like those inspired by internet culture or viral trends.

Antonio Garcia Martinez, who handles growth and advertising for Base, shares his Cuban-American background. His parents fled Cuba in the 1960s, smuggling jewelry to start anew in the U.S. He points out how crypto could have changed their story—if Bitcoin or stablecoins like USDC existed back then, they could have moved value without borders or government interference. This resonates deeply in places like Argentina, where hyperinflation has driven massive crypto adoption. Martinez mentions chatting with his Uber driver, who converts pesos to USDT (a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar) to preserve value, and even accepts it as payment.

This real-world utility highlights why crypto isn't just a buzzword in Latin America—it's a tool for financial freedom. In the U.S., Pollak notes, people often question the need for crypto because traditional systems work okay. But in LATAM, it's a necessity. "Here, it's about liberty and a new system that works for the people," he says.

Xen Baynham-Herd, from London, adds his perspective, drawing from the film The Motorcycle Diaries, which follows Che Guevara's transformative journey across Latin America. While clarifying he doesn't endorse the outcome, Xen emphasizes how travel can shift viewpoints. He's on his second trip to Argentina and recounts his own adventures, including a coach tour as a teen. The group reflects on their "Base Around the World" tours, visiting places like Mexico City, Brazil, Kenya, India, and more. These trips have shown them how the onchain economy manifests differently in each region, solving unique problems.

One key takeaway? Being there in person builds lasting connections. Pollak shares stories from builders and creators whose lives changed through Base. For instance, three Argentine artists created collectible cards on a Base app called Vibe Market, which went viral and allowed them to earn a living from their creativity. This ties directly into the meme token space, where onchain platforms enable quick, borderless value creation around fun, community-driven ideas.

The trio agrees that Latin America's talent and real-world challenges make it a leader in building onchain solutions. From apps to communities, the region is innovating fast. For meme token enthusiasts, this means more opportunities—Base's low fees and growing user base in LATAM could spark the next wave of viral coins, blending cultural memes with financial tools.

If you're into blockchain or meme tokens, this chat is a reminder of crypto's global impact. Check out the full video on X to hear it straight from the builders. As Latin America ramps up, keep an eye on Base for the next big thing in the onchain world.