Base is a Layer 2 solution built by Coinbase on Ethereum using the OP stack in collaboration with Optimism, providing a foundation for Coinbase's 100 million users to enter DeFi. It is becoming part of Optimism's Superchain vision, where the Superchain is an interoperable network of chains built using the OP Stack. As these chains are built from the same open-source standardized technology stack, they share the same communication and security layer, which means no more bridging and network switching.
As it's built on the OP Stack, Base taps into Ethereum's security layer, which is one of the strongest given the stake weight. Base also promises lower fees, which can be up to 10x lower than Ethereum according to the 90 days average.
Now that Coinbase's Base is live and with the highly anticipated mainnet launch of Base having gone smoothly, there have been discussions about the likelihood of the project releasing an airdrop. Although the likelihood of a Base airdrop seems low, with Jesse Pollak, creator of Base stating that "we have no plans to have a token on Base or a token for Base," it's still a great opportunity to explore the Layer 2 and its offerings, while netting some nice NFTs.
Note that all below actions are not guaranteed to result in receiving an airdrop, as Base has stated on official channels that "(they) currently do not plan to issue a new network token."
Use the Official Bridge
Step 1: Go to https://bridge.base.org/
Step 2: Click on Connect wallet
Step 3: Click on Bridge assets
Step 4: Key in bridging details
You can specify the type of asset to bridge, and specify the quantity.
Step 5: Click on Deposit ETH
Step 6: Click on Transactions to check transaction history.
Mint Onchain Summer NFT
Step 1: Go to https://onchainsummer.xyz/
Step 2: Click on Connect wallet
Step 3: Click on Bridge and mint for free
Step 4: Mint NFT
Select the number of NFTs you want to mint and click Mint (0 ETH)
Mint a Base Bridge Pass on Mint.fun
Through this task, you will be able to mint a Base Bridge Pass, which will allow you to receive 0.001 ETH on the Base Network. It may take up to 2 minutes for your funds to show.
Step 1: Go to https://mint.fun/base/0x00008453E27e8e88F305F13CF27c30D724fDd055
Step 2: Click on Connect wallet
Step 3: Click on Mint for 0.001 ETH
Step 4: You can check out more ongoing mints here.
Mint An Early Builder NFT
This one is more complex, as to earn a commemorative early builder NFT, you'll have to deploy a smart contract on the Base testnet. By following the steps below, you'll experience creating your own smart contract for a mintable NFT.
Step 1: Go to https://chainlist.org/chain/84531 to connect your wallet to the Base Goerli Testnet.
Click on Connect Wallet
Click on Add to Metamask
Step 2: Go to https://goerlifaucet.com/
Sign up for an Alchemy account, which allows you to receive testnet Goerli ETH which will be useful for future airdrop farming.
Enter address and click Send Me ETH
Step 3: Go to https://bridge.base.org/deposit
Change to the Goerli chain
Enter the amount to transfer from Ethereum Goerli to Base Goerli, and click on Deposit ETH
Step 4: Go to https://docs.openzeppelin.com/contracts/4.x/wizard
Click on ERC721
Enter details for Name and Symbol, and check Mintable
Click on Open in Remix
Click on Solidity compiler and Compile contract
Click on Deploy & run transactions
Under Environment, click on Injected Provider - MetaMask
Click on Deploy
Click on the copy icon under Deployed Contracts to copy your contract address
Step 5: Go to https://quests.base.org/
Click on ‘Start Quest’
Click on Continue, as funding your wallet has been done in the above task.
Enter the smart contract address copied and click Verify Transaction
Conclusion
To summarize, Base has a unique standing in the L2 space thanks to its strategic synergy of Coinbase, one of the largest crypto exchanges, and Optimism, one of the top L2 technology stacks. By leveraging an existing user base and offering them unparalleled technology, Base is positioning itself as an attractive platform for developers and users alike.
At the moment, the Base team has announced that they have no intentions on releasing a token. However, following the steps above will earn you some unique NFTs, while improving your familiarity with the Base ecosystem. That said, speculations on a future airdrop are still rife, and will likely result in the Base network continuing to gain traction and grow its ecosystem, similar to the Arbitrum airdrop speculation resulting in an influx of users and developers.
As mentioned above, there is no guarantee that following the above steps will result in an airdrop, but you will earn some NFTs!
CJ is a business graduate that has been involved in crypto for 4 years and specializes in DeFi protocols. He is also interested in TradFi becoming DeFi, and has written for ByBit, SwitcheoLabs, and others. Follow the author on Twitter @fishmarketacad
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