Coinbase, the largest US crypto exchange, has launched a new app to integrate users with the on-chain economy.
Coinbase Replaces Wallet with New "Base App" in Consumer Client Drive
17 July 2025 - 17:12 CEST
The new “base app” will replace the Coinbase Wallet. The aim is to provide users with a single place to access trading, payment services, social media and mini apps, powered by stablecoins. Its development reflects the search for new utility cases for cryptocurrencies beyond speculative trading.
A likely goal is to reach users who may not want to trade crypto but can still benefit from broader stablecoin adoption across the financial system.
No more swiping
The base app will be powered by the company’s public blockchain, Base, and will be built around Base Pay, an in-house payment system using the dollar-pegged stablecoin USDC.
Coinbase has recently moved to diversify beyond its core revenue stream of traditional crypto trading, highlighting a “stretch goal to make USDC the number one stablecoin” during an earnings call led by CEO Brian Armstrong in February. He also stated his ambition to make Coinbase “the number one financial services app in the world.”
Bold plans
Coinbase has moved to quickly expand the availability of Base Pay, unrolling its checkout feature developed in collaboration with Shopify. The service is now usable for tens of thousands of merchants, with the aim of rolling out to every merchant by the end of the year.
Coinbase also plans to expand Base Pay to physical stores with tap-to-pay support, and, later this year, Shopify users in the US will start to get a 1% USDC cash back incentive.
