Coinbase’s Base Moves Off Optimism to Unified Architecture
Base, a decentralized Ethereum layer-2 scaling network, said Wednesday it will transition from Optimism’s technology stack to its own unified software architecture. The Base engineering team said the protocol will remain open-source and encouraged developers to continue creating distinct implementations.
Launched in 2023 as an Optimism chain, Base stated the move is intended to reduce reliance on external service providers and accelerate the delivery of upgrades. “Consolidating into Base changes how Base packages and releases software for the network. We will ship one official distribution for each upgrade: a single Base binary for operating nodes on the network,” the team said.
The engineering team added that the shift to a unified architecture is expected to streamline the network’s sequencer, which organizes transactions for validators.
The rollout will occur in four phases, according to the project’s roadmap, with node operators required to migrate to the new Base client over the next several months to receive official upgrades.
Ethereum co-founder changes tune on layer-2 scaling networks
Earlier this month, Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of the Ethereum L1 network, signaled a shift in his stance on scaling via L2s. He said L2s are taking longer than expected to achieve full decentralization, while the Ethereum L1 is scaling independently and recording near-record low fees. “The original vision of L2s and their role in Ethereum no longer makes sense, and we need a new path,” Buterin said in February.
His remarks drew mixed responses from L2 teams. Some agreed that scaling networks should evolve beyond serving primarily as a lower-cost execution layer for Ethereum. “It’s great to see Ethereum scaling L1 – this is a win for the entire ecosystem. going forward, L2s can’t just be ‘Ethereum but cheaper,’” Base founder Jesse Pollak said.
Other L2 leaders maintained that scaling layers remain aligned with Ethereum’s long-term objectives. There are more than 128 Ethereum L2 scaling networks at the time of publication, according to L2Beat.
Stay informed, read the latest news right now!
Disclaimer
The content on TrustsCrypto.com is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile, always do your own research before making decisions.
Some content may be assisted by AI and reviewed by our editorial team, but accuracy is not guaranteed. TrustsCrypto.com is not responsible for any losses resulting from the use of information provided.
