This thread lists some of Jesse Pollak’s (the creator of Base) favorite non-financial apps on the chain, which include projects such as Blackbird and Parallel.

Jesse Pollak, who has been leading the development of the Ethereum Layer 2 network Base, is set to take on a new role as the head of Coinbase Wallet. This transition marks a significant step in his career as he joins the executive team of the prominent crypto exchange. Pollak expressed enthusiasm about this new position, highlighting the shared vision between Base and Coinbase Wallet to simplify the process for users to engage with on-chain activities and connect with web3 applications. Pollak emphasized that both Base and Coinbase Wallet are aligned in their mission, stating that they aim to facilitate access to the on-chain economy. He noted that Base will continue to uphold its core values, which include being inclusive, decentralized, and open-source. The integration of these values into Coinbase Wallet is expected to enhance its functionality and user experience. Base, which launched in August 2023, is an optimistic rollup designed to process transactions off the main Ethereum blockchain, thereby increasing transaction throughput and reducing costs. Recently, Base achieved a significant milestone by surpassing $2 billion in total value locked, making it the second-largest optimistic rollup by deposits, following Arbitrum. Coinbase Wallet, originally launched as Toshi in 2017, is a non-custodial wallet that allows users to manage their digital assets independently. Initially focused on the Ethereum ecosystem, it has since expanded to support multiple blockchain networks, including Bitcoin, Solana, and BNB Chain. Pollak's new role is seen as an opportunity to accelerate Coinbase's mission of onboarding a billion users and a million developers into the on-chain space. The article also provides context about the broader crypto landscape, mentioning recent developments such as the SEC's appeal in the Ripple case and the ongoing evolution of various crypto projects. It underscores the importance of leadership changes within major companies like Coinbase as they navigate the rapidly changing environment of digital assets.