Base Breaks Free from Optimism Infrastructure

Base, an Ethereum Layer 2 network backed by Coinbase, has announced that it is consolidating its codebase into a self-operated repository. This move aims to reduce Base's reliance on external dependencies, including Optimism's OP Stack, which powered the blockchain since its launch in August 2023.

Node operators will need to migrate from Optimism releases to Base's client software to remain compatible with future network upgrades. The change reduces Base's dependency on code maintained by various parties, including Flashbots and Paradigm.

The new unified stack, designated 'base/base,' consolidates previously distributed codebase elements into a single repository built on open-source components, including Reth. This transition aims to increase Base's hard fork schedule from three to six per year.

Base currently holds $3.85 billion in total value locked, making it the largest blockchain in what was the OP Stack Superchain ecosystem. The blockchain's roadmap includes transitioning from optimistic to TEE/ZK proofs in an upcoming hard fork, with subsequent releases planned to implement Ethereum's Fusaka and Glamsterdam upgrades.