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Base Blockchain: Coinbase's Ambitious Venture into Ethereum Layer 2

Base Blockchain: Coinbase's Ambitious Venture into Ethereum Layer 2

Beginner
2023-09-26 | 5m

TL;DR

- Base is a new Optimistic Rollups Layer 2 created by the Coinbase exchange.

- Its mainnet was released in August 2023, and it has already outperformed other Optimistic Rollups solutions.

- Though Base has a lot of potential, its association with a centralized exchange and tokenless design may deter those seeking full decentralization.

Introduction to Base by Coinbase

Base, the latest addition to the blockchain landscape, is a secure, cost-effective, and developer-friendly Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) solution with a mission that extends beyond the realm of traditional cryptocurrencies. Incubated within the corridors of Coinbase, Base sets its sights on an ambitious goal: bringing the next billion users into the world of blockchain.

Being the blockchain created by Coinbase offers a tantalizing proposition for dapps on Base. Integration with Coinbase's suite of products and services will be very streamlined with easy fiat onramps and access to a vast network of over 110 million verified users and a collective asset pool exceeding $80 billion. The introduction of Base signifies a landmark moment in the blockchain industry, as it marks the first instance of a blockchain launched by a major player in traditional finance.

Just one month after its mainnet launch, Base has achieved over 870,000 daily unique addresses and nearly 1.5 million daily transactions, outperforming the combined figures of two other Optimistic Rollups blockchains, Optimism and Arbitrum.

Base Blockchain: Coinbase's Ambitious Venture into Ethereum Layer 2 image 0

Base Blockchain: Coinbase's Ambitious Venture into Ethereum Layer 2 image 1

The Technology Behind Base

Openness and collaboration are at the heart of Base's ethos. The platform is constructed on the MIT-licensed OP Stack, a framework developed in partnership with Optimism, another notable player in the Ethereum L2 arena. This commitment to open-source principles ensures that the OP Stack remains a public good, accessible to all who seek to contribute and benefit from it.

One of Base's standout features is its commitment to providing significant capabilities at minimal costs. It grants early access to Ethereum's cutting-edge features, including Account Abstraction (ERC4337), a feature that allows smart contracts to pay for their own execution costs. Therefore, developers are empowered to create innovative solutions without the burdensome overhead of high fees. Moreover, Base introduces user-friendly developer APIs that enable gasless transactions, simplifying the user experience within the blockchain.

The project aspires to evolve into a “Superchain” powered by Optimism and nurtured by a thriving community of developers. Notably, Base has made it clear that they are unlikely, though not definitively so, to issue a new network token for its platform in the near future. The tokenless design is said to help focus on promoting experimentation and innovation within the blockchain space, while avoiding potential regulatory hurdles concerning digital assets. This underscores Base's relatively cautious approach to navigating the complex regulatory landscape while providing developers and users with a secure and frictionless environment for building dapps.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Base

The pros and cons of Base are both multifaceted and compelling, making it an enticing choice for developers, users, and the broader blockchain community.

Pros

- Security and Scalability: Base offers a secure and scalable environment for dapps, backed by Ethereum's security and Coinbase's best practices. This ensures trust and reliability for users migrating from Coinbase, Ethereum L1, and other chains. With nearly 1.5 million daily transactions within just one month of its mainnet launch, Base demonstrates its capacity to handle substantial throughput, which is vital for the growth of decentralized applications.

- Access to Coinbase Ecosystem: Base provides developers with easy integration into Coinbase's products, offering access to over 110 million verified users and more than $80 billion in assets. This extensive user base and liquidity are valuable for dapp growth.

- Cost-Efficiency: Developers can enjoy full Ethereum Virtual Machine compatibility at a fraction of the cost. Base supports gasless transactions with user-friendly APIs for account abstraction, reducing operational expenses.

- Open-Source and Community-Driven: Base follows an open-source approach and collaborates with Optimism on the OP Stack. This fosters a thriving community of developers, promoting knowledge sharing and innovation.

- Innovation-Focused: Base's decision not to issue a new network token reflects its commitment to innovation and experimentation. This approach allows developers to concentrate on building groundbreaking solutions without the complexities and regulatory uncertainties associated with new token offerings.

Cons

- Centralization Concern: Base's incubation within Coinbase may raise concerns about centralization. Some users in the blockchain community prefer fully decentralized projects, and the association with a centralized exchange could be a deterrent, especially if Coinbase has a substantial say in Base's governance decisions.

- Relatively New Entrant: As a relatively new blockchain, Base may not have the established track record or network effects of more mature and battle-tested platforms. This could affect its adoption and trust within the blockchain community.

- Tokenless Design: Base's decision not to issue a new network token might limit its ability to incentivize network participants and secure the ecosystem. This could potentially impact the long-term sustainability and growth of the platform.

- Risk of Regulatory Pressure: As a publicly traded company, Coinbase is subject to various regulatory and compliance requirements that may not align with the ethos of full decentralization. This could lead to regulatory pressures or constraints that may affect how Base operates and evolves.

- Long-Term Viability: The blockchain space is highly competitive, with numerous L2 solutions and smart contract platforms vying for developers and users. Even though Base has achieved quite a few remarkable milestones in a short period of time, its future growth and sustainability will depend on its ability to attract and retain users and developers over the long term, rather than on its association with a big name in the industry.

Conclusion

Base emerges as a promising addition to the blockchain landscape, driven by its secure, cost-effective, and developer-friendly approach. When considering the benefits of Base, it becomes evident that it offers security, accessibility to Coinbase's vast ecosystem, cost-effectiveness, community-driven development, and an innovation-focused environment. However, it's crucial to acknowledge potential drawbacks, including centralization concerns tied to Coinbase's influence, its relatively recent entry into the blockchain arena, the tokenless design's implications, regulatory risks, and competition within the blockchain space. In the long term, Base's success will hinge on its ability to attract and retain users and developers while balancing the advantages of its association with Coinbase against potential centralization concerns.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are for informational purposes only. This article does not constitute an endorsement of any of the products and services discussed or investment, financial, or trading advice. Qualified professionals should be consulted prior to making financial decisions.