According to @jessepollak, OP Labs, the developer behind Optimism (OP), predicts that every crypto exchange and fintech firm will launch its own blockchain within the next five years. This trend is driven by the success of Coinbase's Layer-2 network, Base, which was built using the OP Stack and enables the monetization of custodied assets, such as lending out Bitcoin (BTC) to borrow USDC. The source notes that major exchanges like Kraken, Bybit, and OKX are already developing their own L2 solutions. This development is part of a larger trend in asset tokenization, which is evolving from stablecoins and tokenized money market funds (like BUIDL and ONDO) to more complex instruments like structured credit and private funds. The key trading implication is that tokenization can bring significant transparency and liquidity to traditionally opaque and illiquid markets, with smart contracts automating processes and providing real-time data to investors.

According to @jessepollak, OP Labs, the developer behind the Ethereum (ETH) scaling solution Optimism, predicts that every crypto exchange and fintech company will operate its own blockchain within the next five years. Sam McIngvale, OP Labs' head of product, points to the success of Coinbase's Layer 2 network, Base, which was built using the OP Stack, as a key indicator of this trend. The primary driver for this adoption is the ability to monetize dormant assets held in custody, such as allowing a user to move Bitcoin (BTC) to Base and borrow USDC against it, McIngvale explained. This trend is already underway, with exchanges like Kraken, Bybit, and OKX launching their own L2 solutions, and fintechs like Robinhood exploring similar moves. This development supports Optimism's long-term vision of an interoperable "Superchain" of many blockchains, aiming to improve user experience significantly.

According to @KookCapitalLLC, the next major trend in crypto will be the proliferation of custom blockchains by fintech firms and exchanges, a shift expected within five years. Sam McIngvale of OP Labs, the team behind Optimism (OP), points to the success of Coinbase's Base Layer-2 network as a key catalyst, according to the source. Base, built on the OP Stack, demonstrates how firms can monetize custodied assets like Bitcoin (BTC) by using them as collateral for loans, creating new revenue streams from previously dormant capital. This model is being replicated by other major exchanges like Kraken, Bybit, and OKX, signaling a significant adoption wave for L2 solutions. The source also highlights that traditional blockchain valuation methods are inadequate, drawing a parallel to the dot-com bubble. A new proposed valuation framework focuses on 'velocity and flow,' analyzing metrics like stablecoin turnover, DeFi lending, and asset flows between layers to measure a network's true economic activity, offering traders a more nuanced way to assess value in an evolving market.

According to @jessepollak, a significant industry shift is underway, highlighted by a prediction from OP Labs' Head of Product, Sam McIngvale, that every crypto exchange and fintech firm will run its own blockchain within the next five years. McIngvale cites the success of Coinbase's Layer-2 network, Base, which was built using Optimism's (OP) OP Stack, as a key model for this trend. The primary driver is the ability to monetize dormant crypto assets held in custody by moving them onto a proprietary L2 to facilitate services like borrowing and lending. This strategy is already being adopted by other major exchanges like Kraken, Bybit, and Bitget. However, @jessepollak contrasts this corporate adoption with a growing concern that crypto's foundational cypherpunk values are being diluted. He argues that as firms like Coinbase engage more with traditional political structures, the industry risks betraying its core mission of decentralization, potentially creating long-term narrative risks for the market even as L2 adoption provides a bullish technical catalyst.

According to @KookCapitalLLC, a major trend is emerging where every crypto exchange and fintech firm is expected to launch its own blockchain within the next five years, a prediction made by OP Labs' head of product, Sam McIngvale. This forecast is heavily influenced by the runaway success of Coinbase's Layer-2 network, Base, which was built using Optimism's (OP) OP Stack. The primary drivers for this adoption are the abilities to build a vast user and developer ecosystem and to monetize dormant crypto assets held in custody, such as allowing customers to borrow USDC against their Bitcoin (BTC) on the L2 network. This strategy turns custody from a cost center into a profit generator. The analysis notes that other major players like Kraken, Bybit, Bitget, OKX, and fintech firm Robinhood are already exploring or launching their own L2s. However, the source also raises concerns that this wave of corporate adoption and political alignment, exemplified by Coinbase's activities, is diluting the industry's original cypherpunk ethos of decentralization and challenging centralized power structures.

According to Shopify and Coinbase, Shopify Payments will integrate USDC on Coinbase's Ethereum layer-2 Base network, beginning with a limited rollout on June 12 for early access merchants and expanding to all users later this year. Merchants can accept USDC payments while receiving local currency settlements without foreign transaction fees, and customers will earn 1% cash back with USDC payments launching later in 2024. This initiative aims to streamline global commerce, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency, potentially increasing demand for USDC and Ethereum (ETH) based assets due to Base's low-cost, high-speed infrastructure. (Source: Shopify and Coinbase announcement)

According to Pedro Gomes on Twitter, WalletConnect has officially integrated with Base, the Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain developed by Coinbase. This integration enables seamless connectivity for decentralized applications, wallets, and DeFi protocols on the Base network, streamlining user experience and transaction flows (source: Pedro Gomes on Twitter, May 20, 2025). For traders, this means reduced transaction friction and increased liquidity across Base-based assets, potentially driving higher trading volumes and attracting new users to Base's DeFi ecosystem. The move also positions Base as a more competitive Layer 2 solution, which may impact the price action of tokens associated with the Base ecosystem and influence cross-chain trading strategies.