Toady Hawk, a prominent figure in the Web3 space, recently shared a heartfelt reflection on their two-year journey building on Base, Coinbase's Layer-2 blockchain. This thread, posted on August 9, 2025, offers a deep dive into the evolution of Base and its impact on builders like Toady Hawk. Let's break it down.

The Genesis of Base

Two years ago, when rumors of Coinbase launching its own chain surfaced, Toady Hawk expected something along the lines of BNB—a centralized Layer-1 solution. However, Base turned out to be an Ethereum Layer-2 with no native token, part of the Optimism Superchain, and committed to open-source development. This revelation was a game-changer for Toady Hawk, who was already minting content on Optimism mainnet.

A Turning Point: Onchain Summer

The launch of Base coincided with the OG Onchain Summer, a period that Toady Hawk describes as a masterclass in supporting builders. The initiative provided crucial resources: funding and distribution. This environment was perfect for launching The Yellow Collective, a creator-focused fork of Nouns. Toady Hawk credits Jesse Pollak, Kabir Base, David Tsocy, and the rest of the Base team for fostering a positive-sum energy that attracted the next billion users onchain.

Building and Being Rewarded

Jesse Pollak's mantra, "Build on Base and you will be rewarded," has been a guiding principle for Toady Hawk. This sentiment is echoed through personal anecdotes, such as winning a Based Andy Yellow auction, hosting Jesse on the ZEROPOD podcast, and receiving consistent engagement from key Base figures like CryptoStatuette and Drew Coffman. This support has kept Toady Hawk motivated to continue experimenting and building on Base.

A Milestone Moment

The recent addition of BETR, the native token for the BETR mini app on Farcaster, to Coinbase's inaugural cohort of Base tokens for DEX trading marks a significant milestone. This achievement underscores the seamless integration of Farcaster's social distribution with Base's scaling capabilities, offering instant tradability to millions of users.

Looking Ahead

As Base celebrates its second anniversary, Toady Hawk's journey highlights the platform's potential to redefine Web3 innovation. The absence of a native token, combined with a focus on utility and community, sets Base apart from other Layer-2 solutions. This thread not only celebrates past achievements but also sets the stage for future collaborations and growth within the Base ecosystem.

For builders and enthusiasts alike, Toady Hawk's experience serves as a testament to the power of persistence and the rewards of building on a platform that values innovation and community engagement. Here's to many more years of building together on Base!