The L1/L2 solution market continues to reshape. The Moonbeam project, previously known as a parachain in the Polkadot ecosystem, has announced the complete migration of its native token GLMR to the Base network, built on the Optimism stack by Coinbase. This is not just a technical upgrade, but a strategic pivot: the project is relaunching as a network specializing in artificial intelligence agents.
The bridge between the old and new networks is already active. The key point is that GLMR conversion occurs at a 1:1 ratio, without any bonuses or penalties. The token becomes a native ERC-20 asset on Base, opening access to the liquidity of the largest DeFi protocols in the Ethereum ecosystem, which was unavailable in Polkadot's isolated environment.
However, participants in DeFi protocols on the original Moonbeam should exercise caution. Any positions in smart contracts (staking, liquidity pools, lending) must be withdrawn before using the bridge. Otherwise, funds may be locked in outdated infrastructure. For GLMR holders on centralized exchanges (CEX), the process will be fully automated — the exchanges themselves will conduct the asset swap.
This move is a clear indicator that niche Polkadot parachains are increasingly looking toward more liquid and popular L2 solutions. Moonbeam is betting on the AI agent boom, which could attract a new type of developer, but also carries risks of volatility and uncertainty in this new segment.
Expert opinion: Moonbeam's migration to Base is not just a technical move, but an acknowledgment that isolated ecosystems without their own mass user base are losing the race for liquidity. Betting on AI agents could prove successful, but I would recommend GLMR holders to closely monitor team updates and not delay withdrawing funds from DeFi protocols on the old network.