No Secret Pump and Dump of Tokens: Base Co-Founder Jesse Pollak

Base co-founder Jesse Pollak publicly stated that the Base core team does not support token prices behind the scenes.

His comments followed an X post around the recent price surge of the Cat Own Kimono (COK) meme coin.

Pollak said the Base team will not coordinate private buying or selling to push the price of any asset.

He stated that such actions are not sustainable, would hurt other tokens, conflict with open market rules, and may break the law.

just to say it out loud: the @base core team will not "support the chart behind the scenes" — if what you mean is privately / behind the scenes coordinating and deploying capital to actively drive the price of an asset up in an attempt to get to a specific outcome. this would:

-…

— jesse.base.eth (@jessepollak) January 27, 2026

Pollak added that Base focuses on visibility and access for strong apps and tokens, not price action.

He said Base aims to bring more users, capital, and attention to the network while keeping markets fair.

COK Token Draws Attention as Activity Rebounds

COK had struggled for months after December 2024. However, the cat-themed meme token recently saw a sudden surge in activity.

The token jumped more than 200% in the past week, with trading volume reaching $5 million on Jan. 23.

COK also moved into the top trending list on DEX Screener. Popular crypto commentator and host of the Late Night on Base podcast, Bill, commented on the surge.

He said Base does not push projects to large market caps and suggested shifting focus to other chains.

It’s clear to see base does not have what it takes (or cares to) push a project to tens to hundreds of millions

So with that being said time to focus on other chains

All eyes on $cok for me@BaseJunkie_ believes in it and is their spaces host
-first cat on solana
-been out… https://t.co/VZgjo8YYlw

— Bill- Late Night on Base (@latenightonbase) January 26, 2026

 

Another X user replied that the issue affects all meme coins, not just Base. However, the host said Base has the chance to back one strong coin but has not done so, even as traders wait for a breakout token on the network.

No it’s a base problem

They have every opportunity to get a coin the chain can rally on

Especially a chain that’s starving for a runner $DRB is a perfect example

— Bill- Late Night on Base (@latenightonbase) January 26, 2026

Meme Coin Rugpull Cases

Speculative trading has helped many meme coins gain large market caps. In Jan. 2025, US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump launched their own meme coins during the inauguration period.

This surge has also increased losses and rugpull cases in the market. The HAWK token collapsed after reaching a $5 million market cap.

Similarly, the LIBRA token collapsed after reaching a market capitalization of around $100 million. The project had been linked to Argentine President Javier Milei.

Some exchanges now review meme coins more closely before listing them, although many have faced disputes of their own.

Base also faced criticism in April last year when a meme token surged and crashed after a Base post.

Coinbase later clarified that the token was created automatically through Zora and was not backed by Base or Coinbase.

Rugpull schemes usually rely on paid promotion, false ties to known brands, or planned price manipulation. Pollak said Base will not take part in any such activity.

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