E93: BASE Creator Jesse Pollak - Why Most Crypto Traders Lose (And What to Do Instead)

When Shift Happens Podcast

Jesse Pollak is the creator of Base, Coinbase's ethereum layer 2 network offering a secure, low-cost way for anyone to build decentralized apps onchain. He is also the Lead at Coinbase Wallet and a member of the Coinbase Exec Team. In this conversation, Jesse shares his deeply personal journey of building Base, from the intense pressure of early ideation to the physical and emotional toll of its launch. He opens up about almost quitting, losing 20 pounds from stress, and how his wife's intervention helped him through the darkest moments. Beyond the struggles, Jesse discusses his ambitious vision for an onchain future, predicting that "everything will be onchain in 5 years." From his unique background in Quaker schools to his unconventional problem-solving methods, Jesse offers rare insights into what it takes to build a platform that could transform how billions of people interact with the digital world. In this episode, we explore: - Jesse’s mind and struggles - What gave him a big chip on the shoulder - How hard the beginning of Base was on a personal level - Why the most successful products in crypto DO NOT have a token - The Coinbase’s centralization Paradox - How Jesse built the leading Ethereum Layer 2 in the crypto space. - Why Jesse owns a Cryptopunk - What it takes to be a successful founder in crypto __________________________________ FOLLOW JESSE POLLAK • Twitter: https://x.com/jessepollak • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessepollak/ • Website: https://jesse.xyz/ • Base Twitter: https://x.com/base • Coinbase Twitter: https://x.com/coinbase FOLLOW KEVIN & WHEN SHIFT HAPPENS👇 Twitter (X): https://x.com/KevinWSHPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinwshpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kevinfollonier_ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinfollonier/ Website: https://www.podpage.com/when-shift-happens/ __________________________________ PARTNERS 🚀 Jupiter is the most used Decentralized Exchange in Crypto and the largest DEX by volume on Solana. https://jup.ag/ 🤖 SwissBorg is Europe’s top trusted crypto app offering user-centric investment platforms and DeFi asset management with reliability and innovation. Sign up with this link and earn up to €100 : https://join.swissborg.com/r/kevinH6E7 ♾ Coinsilium provides vital funding and expert advice to Web3 and AI-powered early-stage technology companies. https://www.coinsilium.com 🍷 Dvin is building the operating system for the $100 billion wine industry. https://www.dvinlabs.com/ __________________________________ DISCLAIMER The info contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial, legal, or tax advice. The content of this video is solely the opinions of the speakers who are not a licensed financial advisor or registered investment advisor. Trading cryptocurrencies poses considerable risk of loss. The speakers do not guarantee any particular outcome. __________________________________ 0:00 Introduction 1:33 Please Subscribe 1:54 Our Valued Sponsors 2:11 Driving Coinbase's On-Chain Evolution 6:18 Who is Jesse Pollak 7:45 Mission for Innovation and Freedom 9:42 Successful Crypto Founder Traits 13:55 Technical vs. Management Skills 17:34 Crypto Punk Identity 20:34 Starting a New Chapter 25:03 Crypto Currency Fascination 29:52 What is Base 32:02 DVIN Partnership 32:25 Launching Base 36:29 Coinbase's Centralization Paradox 42:22 Criticism of the Base Ecosystem 45:21 Building Real Value at Base 48:46 Prioritizing Product Over Tokens 56:19 3 Questions to Mainstream Crypto 57:33 How is Crypto Good for Humanity 59:00 How does Crypto Benefit my Mother 1:01:16 How do I Use Crypto 1:02:20 Optimism Within Crypto 1:04:48 Access in the Crypto World 1:06:45 Emotional Resilience in Crypto 1:09:40 Pressure of an Entrepreneur 1:15:46 Feeling of Giving Up 1:19:11 Passion for Writing and Photography 1:22:49 Non-Consensus Beliefs 1:24:30 Predictions for the Next 12 Months