Lubin’s comment comes at a time of increased community rumors and speculations about an impending MetaMask token launch.
Joseph Lubin, the founder of Consensys, has revealed that the Ethereum layer-2 network LINEA is likely to launch a token before MetaMask.
His remarks came during a recent update on X, where he responded to questions about token plans for Consensys’ various products.
Lubin explained that the company is not rushing into token launches. Instead, it’s taking a structured approach that prioritizes turning products into decentralized protocols first.
He called this strategy “protocolization,” suggesting that token releases will follow once a project matures and becomes more community-driven.
LINEA is expected to be the first in line. Operated by the Linea Association, this Ethereum scaling solution aims to improve transaction efficiency and reduce costs.
L2Beat data shows that it is among the top 10 Ethereum layer-2 solutions, with around $370 million secured on the network.
The team initially intended to launch a token by the end of Q1 2025, but missed that window. Lubin’s latest comments suggest that the release is still on the table and may be coming soon.
He also confirmed that several Consensys products will likely issue tokens over time.
However, he emphasized that each token will have a clear function within a broader Web3 framework, supporting governance, incentives, and interoperability across decentralized applications.
While excitement continues to build around the idea of a MetaMask token, Lubin avoided making any promises.
Considering Lubin’s response, a MetaMask token could happen only if the wallet evolves into a more protocol-like structure. This indicates that the project isn’t yet ready for such a move.
Instead, he implied that MetaMask would need to evolve into a more protocol-like structure before a token could make sense.
Over the past months, speculation about a MetaMask token has been persistent, despite multiple warnings from the team. In March, MetaMask issued a notice to alert users about scams involving fake token promotions.
The moves are unsurprising considering MetaMask remains one of the most widely used Ethereum wallets, acting as a gateway between users and decentralized apps. The platform has more than 30 million users as of 2024.
However, Lubin’s comment clarified that any potential token linked to the wallet would be part of a broader, carefully planned rollout.
