Consensys Founder says LINEA will launch token before MetaMask

Joseph Lubin, the founder of ConsenSys, has said that LINEA will be the company’s first project to launch its own token. He shared this while responding to someone asking whether MetaMask, the widely used Ethereum wallet also built by ConsenSys, would ever have a token of its own.

The user had tweeted: “You’re probably so tired of this question, but will there ever be a MetaMask token? Not a governance token, even a meme token would do. I can understand the difficulty of making it fair. Wallet age and consistency of use would be a great metric for an airdrop.”

In reply, Lubin offered a glimpse into the company’s roadmap: “We have a short and medium term plan/strategy. It involves protocolization of our current products and other initiatives. And Web3 protocols need tokens. First out of the gate will be LINEA. Soon. More to come on this. And they will all be synergistic with one another.”

LINEA to Lead Token Launches for ConsenSys

While many in the crypto community have speculated about a MetaMask token airdrop, Lubin clarified that the company’s tokenization efforts are broader and more strategic than just rewarding wallet users. The focus is on “protocolization of current products,” which points to a long-term Web3 infrastructure play involving multiple interconnected projects.

LINEA, the ConsenSys-backed zkEVM Layer 2 network, will be the first protocol to launch a native token. According to Lubin, the token launch is expected “soon.”

Will MetaMask Have a Token?

The big question: Will MetaMask ever have its own token? is still unanswered. Lubin didn’t give a clear yes or no, but his mention of “protocolization” suggests that if MetaMask eventually becomes more like a protocol or connects closely with other token-based platforms, a token could be possible down the line.

Lubin didn’t give a clear yes or no to a MetaMask token. Instead, he focused on ConsenSys’ bigger plan: building a network of Web3 protocols that work together and rely on tokens to manage governance, rewards, and usage.

What’s clear from his response is that several new projects under ConsenSys will be launching their own tokens. Each one will play a part in the larger Web3 ecosystem the company is creating around Ethereum.