Ethereum Base Lead Says Exchanges Could Adopt Zero Listing Fee Model to Boost Developer Growth

Published: 2025-10-14 | Updated: 2025-10-14 | Author: COINOTAG

• Base advocates zero-cost listings to encourage developer innovation and broader participation.

• Jesse Pollak contrasted Binance’s promotional fee practices with Base’s invitation to “build” without upfront listing charges.

• Community reaction is mixed; some users cite compliance and liquidity costs as reasons exchanges charge fees.

Coinbase Base listing fees: Coinbase’s Base favors 0% listings, per Jesse Pollak — read COINOTAG analysis on fee models and how they affect developers.

What are Coinbase Base listing fees?

Coinbase Base listing fees are effectively zero in Base’s public stance: the network encourages projects to “come build” without mandatory airdrops, listing payments, or large deposits, according to statements from Jesse Pollak, Base’s lead developer. This contrasts with fee-based promotional approaches used by some centralized exchanges.

How does Coinbase Base’s listing model differ from Binance’s promotional fee model?

Base is positioned as a permissionless Layer-2 network launched by Coinbase in August 2023 and built to lower barriers for developers. Jesse Pollak publicly argued that certain exchanges charge promotional fees—citing examples of up to about 3% for airdrop arrangements and additional promotional costs. Pollak wrote, “It should cost 0% to be listed on an exchange.” The Base model emphasizes low friction and developer-first access, while some exchanges monetize promotional and liquidity services to cover compliance, security review, and market-making costs. Industry commentary (public social posts and community threads) shows debate: proponents of zero-cost listings say it frees capital for product development; critics note that onboarding, compliance and liquidity require funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do projects pay listing fees to be listed on Coinbase Base?

According to statements from Base’s lead developer Jesse Pollak and Coinbase public messaging, projects are invited to build on Base without compulsory listing fees, airdrops, or large deposits. Exchanges with fee models may still require payments for promotional services or liquidity support, depending on their policies.

Why are some exchanges charging listing or airdrop fees?

Exchanges that charge fees typically do so to cover onboarding costs such as compliance reviews, security audits, market-making and liquidity provisioning. These fees are also used for promotional placement and airdrop administration. Stakeholders debate whether these charges are necessary or extractive.

Key Takeaways

• Zero-cost stance from Base: Base and Coinbase representatives publicly promote a model that minimizes upfront barriers for developers.
• Fee-based exchange models: Some centralized exchanges use promotional and airdrop fees—industry discussions reference figures around 3% for certain services—as part of their commercial model.
• Developer impact: Lower listing costs can free project resources for product development; exchanges must balance openness with compliance and liquidity needs.

Conclusion

COINOTAG reporting: Jesse Pollak’s public comments spotlight a growing industry debate over whether exchanges should charge for listings and promotions. Coinbase Base listing fees are framed as effectively zero to encourage builders, while other platforms use fees to underwrite onboarding and liquidity. As regulators and market actors refine standards, the tension between openness and operational cost recovery will shape where projects choose to launch. For developers weighing options, the trade-offs between immediate costs and long-term support remain central—watch for further updates and official statements from Coinbase and exchange operators.