KEYTAKEAWAYS
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Linea, built on zkEVM, launched the LINEA token with 85% for ecosystem growth, aiming for long-term value through governance and deflation.
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Joseph Lubin hinted LINEA holders may get recurring rewards in other tokens, with MetaMask integration possibly amplifying adoption and incentivizing long-term holding.
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Community speculates on a MetaMask token ($MASK). Despite regulatory risks, Linea’s revenue can support potential airdrops, strengthening user loyalty and ecosystem growth.
CONTENT
Linea is an Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) scaling solution built by ConsenSys. It is based on a zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine (zkEVM). It uses zero-knowledge proofs (zk-Rollups) to compress and batch transactions. This raises throughput and cuts gas fees, while staying highly compatible with Ethereum mainnet.
With this tech, Linea’s transaction cost is only one-tenth of Ethereum mainnet or even lower, while inheriting Ethereum’s security. Since its mainnet launch in July 2023, Linea has drawn developers in DeFi, NFTs, and gaming. Its ecosystem includes DEXs, lending protocols, and AI-powered wallets.
In September 2025, Linea launched its native token LINEA. It also set up decentralized governance via the Linea Association and a Consortium, strengthening its role as “Ethereum’s silver.” The tokenomics are smart: 85% of tokens go to ecosystem growth. Of that, 10% was airdropped to early users and developers, and the remaining 75% funds a long-term growth fund. There are no allocations to VCs, team, or advisors. A part of transaction fees is burned in a deflationary mechanism, which supports long-term value.
As of September 12, 2025, the LINEA token price is about $0.0237, with a market cap of about $367 million. Although it fell about 20% recently, trading volume stays above $500 million, showing ongoing market interest.
JOSEPH LUBIN’S REWARD HINT: NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR HOLDING LINEA
ConsenSys founder Joseph Lubin recently replied on X to questions about LINEA’s utility. He hinted at an exciting idea: simply holding LINEA could unlock extra rewards. These rewards would come mainly in other tokens, possibly from ConsenSys or ecosystem partners. He said MetaMask and Linea are working on a plan. If, at some time in the future, your MetaMask wallet holds a certain number (n) of LINEA for a certain period (m days), “other tokens may drop into your account.”
This sounds like a snapshot-based airdrop, similar to early Optimism or Arbitrum incentives, not a continuous yield farm. Lubin said the rewards will “repeat,” encouraging long-term holding instead of short-term trading. This design can drive users to join the Linea ecosystem, and MetaMask’s large user base (over 30 million MAU) can amplify the impact.
Linea’s total value locked (TVL) has reached $850 million, ranking 11th among L2 networks. The active ecosystem supports the sustainability of such token rewards.
SPECULATION ON THE MASK TOKEN: METAMASK’S UNSOLVED MYSTERY
Lubin’s comments sparked strong speculation about a MetaMask token (possible ticker $MASK). As early as 2022, Lubin confirmed a MetaMask token as part of ConsenSys’ “progressive decentralization” plan. The goal was to boost MetaMask’s influence through DAO governance and community ownership. But the plan did not move forward then due to U.S. regulation. In 2025, things changed: the Trump administration’s friendly stance on crypto eased token issuance. MetaMask co-founder Dan Finlay said in a podcast in May that a token is still under consideration, and any official news will appear inside the MetaMask wallet.
Lubin recently said Linea is ConsenSys’ first token project, but “more is coming,” and hinted those tokens will “work together” with the Linea ecosystem. MetaMask also launched the mUSD stablecoin (to run on Ethereum and Linea), which shows faster ecosystem integration at ConsenSys. The “tokens drop in” wording looks like a one-time airdrop, not ongoing yield. That fits a governance token like MASK, not a stablecoin like mUSD. So the community thinks MASK may be distributed by a snapshot to LINEA holders. Holding LINEA may be the “ticket” to get MASK.
UNCERTAINTY AND REGULATION AROUND MASK LAUNCH
Even if MASK sounds exciting, it is not certain. In March 2025, MetaMask warned the public about fake $MASK scam ads, showing a cautious stance. Lubin’s latest words refer to “other tokens” (which could include ETH, mUSD, or partner tokens), but he did not confirm MASK. A token launch still faces regulatory risk. In the U.S., securities law may treat MASK as a regulated asset. Even so, Linea’s profitability can fund rewards.
According to Dune Analytics, Linea has generated over $65 million in total revenue (including MEV and fees), with over $34.3 million in net profit. While this is smaller than Base (over $200 million annual profit) or Arbitrum (over $150 million), Linea’s model is sustainable. Part of the profit can fund airdrops or ecosystem incentives. This suggests that, whether MASK or other tokens, Linea can attract users with hold-to-earn rewards.
🚀 < < More to read： Linea Network DeFi TVL Surpasses $1 Billion
