In the fast-paced world of blockchain, where trends come and go quicker than you can say "pump and dump," a recent tweet from Carlos Melgar, Regional Lead for Central America at Base, is turning heads. He shared a powerful message: "Missionaries > mercenaries. Commit to building on @base and you will be rewarded. Chasing short-term incentives might be enticing, but values-aligned builders will win big in the long run." Attached was a video where he dives deeper, drawing from insights at Base Camp and emphasizing the need for aligned participants in the onchain economy.

For those new to the lingo, "missionaries" here refer to builders who are in it for the long haul, driven by a genuine passion for creating value and advancing the ecosystem. Think of them as the visionaries who stick around through market dips and hype cycles. On the flip side, "mercenaries" are the opportunists chasing quick gains, jumping from one hot chain to the next for short-term incentives like airdrops or grants.

This philosophy resonates especially in the meme token space on Base, a Layer 2 Ethereum scaling solution known for its low fees and vibrant community. Base has become a hotspot for meme coins, with projects like Brett (BRETT) and Degen (DEGEN) leading the charge. These tokens aren't just jokes; they've built dedicated communities and even integrated utilities that keep holders engaged beyond the initial buzz.

Carlos references Jesse Pollak, the mind behind Base, who stressed at Base Camp that the economy thrives when creators and participants are aligned. "We believe at our core that builders, creators, and people participating in the economy have to be aligned participants," Jesse said. This means funding and supporting those who show up consistently, create real value, and trust in the process.

Looking at the thread's replies, it's clear the message is hitting home. Several users spotlighted $AMETA, a token powering Alpha City—a blockchain-based virtual world on Base built with Unreal Engine 5. Commenters praised the team's three-year grind, redeploying on Base earlier this year, and their focus on lasting ecosystems like gaming, mining, and metaverse features. "The $AMETA team has been building a masterpiece for multiple years," one reply noted. It's a prime example of missionary-style building: not just launching a token, but crafting an entire world around it.

But why does this matter for meme token enthusiasts? In a sea of rug pulls and fading hype, projects that prioritize alignment stand out. Base's ecosystem encourages this with tools for easy onchain development, making it ideal for meme creators to evolve into something more sustainable. If you're a blockchain practitioner eyeing meme tokens, take a cue from Carlos—focus on value creation first. Be consistent, engage your community, and build with intention. As he puts it, "If you build on Base, you will be rewarded."

This mindset shift could be the key to turning fleeting memes into enduring crypto staples. Whether you're diving into $AMETA or scouting the next big Base meme like Toshi (TOSHI) or Basenji (BENJI), remember: missionaries win the marathon. Stay aligned, and the rewards will follow.