Coinbase restores wallet names to self-managed apps…

Why did Coinbase re-enable the name "Coinbase Wallet"?

Coinbase is reversing last year's move to rename the Base App and resuming the name "Coinbase Wallet." As the product gradually downplays its early social vision and focuses instead on transactions, multi-chain access and new on-chain financial products, its strategic positioning has changed significantly. Currently, the wallet supports more than 10 networks including Base, Ethereum, Solana, Bitcoin, BNB Chain, Optimism, Arbitrum, Polygon, Avalanche, Robinhood Chain and Monad. Among them, Robinhood Chain and Monad are new support items, indicating that Coinbase is committed to expanding the application ecosystem beyond its own Base ecosystem.

Coinbase stated that the name "Coinbase Wallet" more accurately reflects the product's role as a self-managed portal to the broader on-chain market. Ryan Kass, product leader for Coinbase Wallet, described the app as a "test kitchen" for products and assets that may not initially be available through Coinbase's centralized exchange. The first example is a perpetual contract supported by Hyperliquid. In addition, the wallet also supports predictive markets and tokenized stocks, while Coinbase plans to continue to add more network and long-tail assets as availability increases.

"The name 'Coinbase Wallet' better captures the product's role as Coinbase's self-managed front door to the Everything Exchange'," Kass said. He added: "While Base App is an experiment with a specific bias, Coinbase Wallet gives users access to the entire financial landscape on the chain."

What has changed from the Base App policy?

In July 2025, Coinbase renamed "Coinbase Wallet" to "Base App" and positioned it as a "super application" that combines Social networks, instant messaging, payments, Mini programs and transactions. However, this strategy did not develop as expected. CEO Brian Armstrong said in March that the social experiment "did not fully work," and Base founder Jesse Pollak later admitted that some social and creator features fell short of expectations.

In July, leadership of the app passed to Jordan "Cobie" Fish as Coinbase moved towards a more transaction-centered strategy. Pollak also said that as the product expands into a broader trading platform, it will no longer be Base-centric. Therefore, the re-enabling of the name "Coinbase Wallet" officially confirms this long-term strategic shift. Coinbase no longer attempts to build Wallet into a social platform built mainly around Base, but instead positions it as a multi-chain trading interface that allows users to access related products earlier than on its regulated centralized exchange.

Investor Perspective

This rebranding is not so much about naming as about product strategy. Coinbase separates its self-managed wallet from failed social app experiments and uses it as a faster channel into perpetual contracts, predictive markets, tokenized assets and new launch links.

How far has Coinbase gone in promoting on-chain trading?

Coinbase is marketing by emphasizing that wallets provide faster market access, claiming that users can download apps and start transactions without going through the traditional account opening process. However, some products are still limited by geographical areas. The wallet remains self-custodial, meaning users retain control of their private keys, rather than directly storing assets in Coinbase's hands. Once assets are minted on the supported chain, they automatically appear in the wallet, while the wallet attempts to detect and hide fraudulent or malicious tokens.

For new asset classes, Coinbase has implemented additional review mechanisms. The company said products such as forecast markets and tokenized stocks require product and compliance reviews before joining. The company generates revenue through in-wallet transactions and product fees, but did not disclose further details about the fee structure. The company declined to comment on whether the increased focus on transactions has increased the number of users. This model provides Coinbase with a way to expand its product range without requiring every asset or market to be immediately listed on its centralized exchange. This distinction may become increasingly important as companies add assets that are available on the chain but face different regulatory or operational considerations on the managed platform.

Is Base still important to Coinbase Wallet?

Despite the broader multi-chain strategy, Base remains the core of the product. Coinbase expects that as Base-based assets attract activity and trading interest, they will continue to be prominently displayed in wallets. The difference is that Base is no longer seen as the defining identity of the application. Assets from the network will compete for attention with tokens and markets from Ethereum, Solana, Robinhood Chain, Monad and other supporting ecosystems.

This could expand the reach market for wallets while reducing their reliance on the success of Base's specific consumer applications. It also provides Coinbase with a more direct avenue to respond to growing competition-with numerous wallets, exchanges and trading interfaces seeking liquidity across multiple network aggregation chains. The strategic message is clear: Coinbase Wallet is transforming from a companion application to blockchain to a self-managed transaction layer that serves Coinbase's broader product ambitions.