A heated debate has ignited within the Base blockchain community following the promotion of GrokCoin by the platform’s official X (Twitter) account. The controversy has stirred tensions between developers and platform operators over project visibility and promotional priorities.
The endorsement of GrokCoin by Base, an Ethereum Layer-2 (L2) network, has caused a stir within the community. Despite concerns about the token’s legitimacy and its ties to Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, Base publicly supported the project. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Base announced:
“Grok launched a token on Base with the help of Bankr and Clanker’s trading mechanisms. Grok’s AI-controlled wallet has already generated significant fees (over $200K). This development showcases how AI is revolutionizing wallets, market-making, and revenue generation. Welcome to the future,” Base shared on Monday.
The announcement sparked backlash from developers who felt overlooked by Base’s promotional strategy. Kawz, the founder of the Solana-based project Time.fun, criticized Base for selectively promoting projects and neglecting builders who have dedicated months to building applications on the platform.
“I invested months into developing an app on Base, but the platform never promoted it. Meanwhile, GrokCoin, a project with questionable utility, received extensive coverage. This disparity is disheartening,” Kawz expressed.
Other critics, like blockchain speculator FloBro, echoed Kawz’s sentiments, accusing Base of favoritism and alienating quality builders within the community.
“Base’s promotional tactics are hypocritical. They preach about supporting builders, yet only promote projects within their inner circle. This approach is detrimental to the ecosystem and discourages innovation,” FloBro remarked.
Defenders of GrokCoin’s Launch
Despite the backlash, some community members defended Base’s decision to endorse GrokCoin. Shazam, a builder on Base, shed light on the launch process of GrokCoin, explaining that community members had to send 5 million BNKR tokens to Grok’s wallet to create the coin. He argued that Grok’s association with Elon Musk could bring valuable attention to Ethereum’s ecosystem.
“Although I understand the frustration, the process of launching GrokCoin involved community participation and could potentially benefit Ethereum’s ecosystem due to Elon Musk’s involvement. This could attract more attention to Base and drive innovation,” Shazam explained.
The controversy underscores a rift within the Base community, with independent developers feeling marginalized while supporters of GrokCoin believe in the project’s potential to enhance the ecosystem. As the debate continues, Base’s leadership faces increasing pressure to address concerns about promotional policies and ensure inclusivity within the community.