Base Debuts Transaction Controls with Cobalt Upgrade
Base, the Ethereum Layer 2 network backed by Coinbase, has launched its third major upgrade called Cobalt. This upgrade aims to give users more control over their transactions and expand tools for companies issuing tokens on the Base network.
Cobalt introduces a new feature called 'Validity Transactions,' which allows users to set conditions and expiration times for when transactions can be executed. For example, a trader could sign and submit a swap that remains dormant until an asset reaches a particular price, while also setting a deadline after which the transaction expires.
The upgrade also expands Base's B20 token standard with compliance controls, scheduled token adjustments, and administrative transfer tools. This includes Composite Policies, which lets issuers combine requirements such as know-your-customer allowlists, accreditation rules, and sanctions blocklists using logical conditions.
Base said Cobalt is part of a broader roadmap that includes faster block times, smart accounts, and additional Ethereum Virtual Machine improvements. The company emphasized that users themselves set the conditions and sign the transactions, offering additional flexibility for sophisticated trading strategies.