Base, a Coinbase Layer-2 (L2) solution, is getting support from Vitalik Buterin. The Ethereum Co-Founder recently stated that its sequencer enhances Ethereum’s scalability while preserving user fund security through Layer-1 (L1) smart contracts.
In a latest post on X, Vitalik gave an example from earlier this year, where Soneium’s L2 prevented operator censorship, supported by on-chain mechanisms, aligning with Ethereum’s decentralized ethos despite centralized sequencer critiques.
According to Buterin, Base’s design is notable because it guarantees user control over funds without depending on Coinbase itself, setting it apart from custodial or semi-custodial systems that can restrict access.
Buterin’s endorsement of Base comes at a time when Ethereum continues to rely on L2 solutions to enhance its operations in terms of scalability, economy, and user experience.
Talking about L2s, Buterin said, “I feel like many people have been confused by recent cynicism and think that things like L2beat are a weird sort of nerd-sharia compliance authority.” He added, “The security that L2s provide, that L2beat measures, reflects concrete properties that protect you as a user from being compromised.” L2beat is a nonprofit research platform that works for scaling the L2 platform solutions.
He further added that another aspect where L2 is superior to L1 is in the custody of users’ funds. He said it cannot steal users or stop them from withdrawing money.
Base’s presence in blockchain landscape
Coinbase began developing Base in 2023. Coinbase’s global reach and Ethereum’s decentralized security model have combined to make the chain quite popular.
Data from DefiLlama shows that Base has more than $5.1 billion in total value locked, highlighting its real-world importance, but ongoing discussions about the risks of L2 centralization, pointed out by critics like Eric Wall, indicate that more decentralization is needed for stage 2.
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