Base Breaks Free: Coinbase-Backed Ethereum Layer 2 Network Goes Independent
Base, an Ethereum Layer 2 network backed by Coinbase, has announced that it is transitioning to an independent tech stack. The move aims to reduce its reliance on Optimism's OP Stack infrastructure, which has powered Base since its launch in August 2023.
In a significant development for the crypto industry, Base will consolidate its codebase into a single repository built on open-source components, including Reth. This change is expected to increase the frequency of hard forks from three to six per year.
The new unified stack, designated 'base/base,' also includes an independent signer added by the Base Security Council to replace Optimism's position. Base will continue to maintain its Stage 1 decentralization status under Vitalik Buterin's rollup classification system and support existing RPC endpoints during the transition period.