Base Introduces B20 as Its Native Onchain Token Standard

base published a beginner-to-expert explainer thread on B20 on Sept. 16, 2026, describing the mechanism as Base's native token standard — a way to create and manage tokens that is built directly into the chain itself.

The first installment of the thread frames B20 for newcomers, positioning it as a faster, cheaper and safer path to issuing tokens on Base compared with deploying contracts through external tooling. The network said further levels of the explanation will follow, moving from beginner concepts toward more advanced material.

Why a native token standard matters

Base is an Ethereum Layer-2 network incubated by Coinbase, built on the OP Stack and led by Jesse Pollak. Transactions on the network are paid in ETH, and Base has not issued a network token, though the project has said it is exploring one. B20 refers to a token standard — the rules and infrastructure for issuing assets on the chain — rather than a change to that position.

Standardizing token creation at the protocol level could reduce the friction developers face when launching onchain assets, a common entry point for teams building consumer apps, DeFi protocols and NFT projects in the Base ecosystem.

The thread's remaining levels, and any accompanying technical documentation, will indicate how B20 is implemented and whether existing token deployments can migrate. Developers building on Base will be watching for those details.