Base, a decentralized Ethereum layer-2 scaling network, said Wednesday that it is transitioning from running on L2 blockchain protocol Optimism’s tech stack to running on its own, unified software architecture.
Launched in 2023 as an Optimism chain, Base is shifting to its own tech stack to reduce dependencies on external service providers and shorten the time it takes to ship new upgrades, according to an announcement from Base. The team said:
“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 transition is also expected to simplify the Base network’s sequencer, which helps network validators to order transactions, the Base engineering team said.
The rollout will take place in four phases, according to a roadmap provided by the project, with node runners having to shift to the new Base client over the next several months for official upgrades.
Ethereum co-founder changes tune on layer-2 scaling networks
Earlier this month, Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of the Ethereum L1 blockchain network, reversed course on scaling Ethereum through L2s.
L2s are taking longer than initially thought to transition to fully decentralized models, Buterin said, adding that the Ethereum L1 is already scaling on its own and features record-low network 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.
Buterin’s comments drew mixed reactions from L2 teams, with some agreeing that scaling networks must pivot beyond being a cheaper 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 in response.
Other L2 founders contend that scaling layers are already in alignment with the network’s long-term goals.
There are more than 128 different Ethereum L2 scaling networks at the time of publication, according to L2Beat.