Moonbeam to pivot from Polkadot to Base, unveils AI agent framework
Moonbeam is pivoting from Polkadot to Ethereum layer 2 Base to build the Moonbeam Protocol, an AI agent communication and settlement network for autonomous agents that can find work, negotiate, and pay on-chain without intermediaries. It says the move reflects a focus on AI-native onchain coordination as a long-term opportunity, but it has not given a launch date. The shift comes as crypto firms increasingly bet on agentic payments, with Coinbase, Circle, Aptos, and Near all pushing related infrastructure, though usage remains limited so far. Moonbeam’s move is seen by some in the crypto community as a setback for Polkadot, where Moonbeam launched as a parachain in 2022. GLMR holders will need to bridge tokens to Base by July 31, 2026, including tokens in staking, lending, and DeFi positions. Users holding GLMR on centralized exchanges do not need to act. Moonbeam says it will keep supporting its Polkadot services during the transition.
