Another big week for earnings
Apple and Palantir report after today's close
$AAPLc and base:0xb2000000000000000000007d16372840df4dabbe trade 24/7 on Base https://t.co/KHb7UI2Xr4
4.0/ 5
Our score
Very good
Layer
Layer 2
Consensus / design
Optimistic rollup
Native token
ETH
Typical transaction fee
$0.01 - $0.05
EVM compatible
Yes
What is Base?
Base is an Ethereum layer 2 optimistic rollup built on the open-source OP Stack. Incubated by Coinbase and launched to the public in August 2023, the network settles transactions on Ethereum while processing execution off-chain. Transaction gas is paid natively in ETH rather than a separate network token, with TVL standing at roughly $6.14B in October 2026.
Origins and governance
Coinbase incubated Base following an internal initiative led by Jesse Pollak, a senior engineering leader at the company who is the project lead. Coinbase Ventures has invested in projects through the Base Ecosystem Fund.
How the network operates
Base delivers full EVM equivalence. Developers can deploy standard Solidity smart contracts without modifying their codebase. As an optimistic rollup, Base executes transactions off-chain and posts bundled batches to Ethereum layer 1 for data availability. Transactions typically execute with sub-second confirmation on layer 2, while native bridging back to Ethereum mainnet requires a standard 7-day fraud-proof challenge window. Beyond decentralized finance applications, the network supports asset tokenization, including regulated products such as Centrifuge's S&P 500 index fund token and Coinbase-issued tokenized equities.
Fees and availability
Transaction fees on Base consist of an L2 execution fee combined with an L1 data security fee. Typical transfers and swaps cost between $0.01 and $0.05, significantly lower than peak gas costs on Ethereum mainnet. The public blockchain network is permissionless and accessible globally to anyone with an EVM-compatible wallet. Certain native tokenized equity products, however, enforce regulatory restrictions and are available only to verified, non-US users.
Track record and infrastructure trade-offs
Base processed over $17T in stablecoin transfer volume during 2025. In September 2026, the network deployed its Cobalt mainnet upgrade, introducing Validity Transactions to improve execution control. Despite reaching Stage 1 rollup classification with active fraud-proof systems, Base operates with a centralized sequencer run by Coinbase, which creates single-operator dependency for transaction ordering. Node operators also faced changes in October 2026, when Base discontinued public V1 database snapshots and disabled debug and txpool namespaces on its public mainnet RPC endpoints.
Founders
Jesse PollakCreator / Lead
Senior engineering leader at Coinbase
Best for:Ethereum developers seeking low feesActive DeFi traders using ETHInstitutional tokenized asset issuersCoinbase ecosystem application builders
Pros and cons
Pros
- Typical transaction costs range between $0.01 and $0.05
- Uses ETH for gas without requiring a volatile network token
- Over $6.1B in TVL backed by deep onchain liquidity
- Coinbase distribution channels
- Stage 1 optimistic rollup with functional fraud proofs
Cons
- Sequencing remains centralized under Coinbase operation
- Native bridge withdrawals to Ethereum require a 7-day challenge period
- Public RPC endpoints have restricted namespaces and tighter rate limits
- Tokenized equity features are restricted to eligible non-US residents
Our review
4.0/5
Very good
Base delivers low transaction fees and direct Coinbase integration, but relies on a centralized sequencer with a single validator structure.
Base is an Ethereum Layer 2 optimistic rollup developed on the OP Stack and incubated by Coinbase. Launched on mainnet in August 2023, the network was led internally by Jesse Pollak. Base operates as a Stage 1 rollup, using fraud-proof mechanisms backed by Ethereum settlement while processing execution off-chain. In October 2026, the network carried over $6.1B in total value locked, with transactions paying gas directly in ETH.
Swaps and transfers on Base typically cost between $0.01 and $0.05, avoiding the $5 to $50 peak fees seen on Ethereum mainnet. The network executes at around 107.6 transactions per second, supported by protocol updates like the Cobalt upgrade deployed in September 2026. Developers benefit from full EVM equivalence, which lets teams deploy standard Solidity smart contracts without altering tooling. Base also features real-world asset integration, including Coinbase-issued tokenized stocks and onchain index products from issuers such as Centrifuge.
The primary architectural trade-off centers on decentralization. Base operates with a single sequencer operated by Coinbase, which yields a Nakamoto coefficient of 1. While the rollup implements fraud proofs, native withdrawals through the optimistic rollup bridge require a standard 7-day challenge window to settle back to Ethereum. Developers must also adapt to changing RPC policies, as mainnet endpoints discontinued debug, trace, and txpool namespaces in October 2026 alongside snapshot retirements.
Sources (2)
Specs
| Layer | Layer 2 |
|---|---|
| Consensus / design | Optimistic rollup |
| Native token | ETH |
| EVM compatible | Yes |
| Smart contract languages | Solidity |
| Typical transaction fee | $0.01 - $0.05 · unverified |
| Finality | 7 days (L1 dispute window) · unverified |
| Validators / sequencer | 1 sequencer · unverified |
| Mainnet since | 2,023 · unverified |
| Throughput (TPS) | 107.6 · unverified |
| Sequencer | Centralized · unverified |
| Data availability | Ethereum · unverified |
| Gas paid in | ETH · unverified |
Not disclosed by the provider: Block time.
Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.
Key features
EVM equivalence
Developers can deploy unmodified Solidity smart contracts using existing Ethereum tooling and RPC frameworks.
Native ETH gas
Network execution fees are paid directly in ETH, avoiding the need to acquire an auxiliary governance token.
OP Stack architecture
Built on the Optimism collective framework, featuring active fault-proof infrastructure anchored directly to Ethereum.
Sub-second execution
Transactions confirm locally within seconds, with typical transfer costs ranging from $0.01 to $0.05.
Tokenized equity settlement
Supports compliant onchain equity products backed by real company shares held with regulated custodians.
Validity Transactions
Introduced in the Cobalt upgrade in September 2026 to offer users greater control over onchain execution.
Inside Base
Trading
Supports embedded trading and asset tokenization, including 24/7 markets for onchain real-world assets and decentralized liquidity pools.
Payments
Processes cross-border stablecoin payments with instant settlement for enterprise card issuers and payout networks.
Agents
Provides infrastructure for automated agentic payments, funding onchain agent wallets, and applying spending guardrails.
Coinbase Tokenized Stocks
Supports 24/7 trading of onchain equities backed by physical US company shares held by a regulated custodian for eligible non-US users.
Base screenshots
What users say about Base
Users widely appreciate Base for its minimal transaction fees and strong ecosystem support for builders. However, significant dissatisfaction stems from the updated mobile wallet interface, specifically the removal of custom network settings and options to revert to the legacy view.
In their own words
“Cheap transactions changed how I use onchain apps more than I expected I didn't really notice this until recently. When every transaction felt expensive, I'd think twice before doing basically anything onchain. Sometimes I'd just decide it wasn't worth it. Using Base has kinda changed that habit.”
“Why I'm Excited for the Upcoming Base Global Builder Call One of the things I appreciate most about Base is how much it invests in its builders. Its not just about launching new features its about creating opportunities for developers to learn, connect and share what they are building.”
“Update is TRASH Why wouldn’t the update have an option to switch to the old UI??? Nobody asked for this at all. We literally live in a time where everything pushed on us is something we don’t want, didn’t ask for, and makes matters worst. Like wtf”
“So long, Base app... With Android version 30.11.1, the option to disable "Base mode" has been removed. In other words, I can't go back to the old "Coinbase Wallet." It is essential that you add the ability to add custom networks—just as "Coinbase Wallet" allowed—as well as tokens.”
“Can’t add custom network I used to be able to add custom networks to BASE wallet. I sent over PEAQ on PEAQEVM, to my base wallet, but now i cant add that network. There is no legacy mode anymore, not able to add custom networks. I cant even find my private keys on this wallet! Are my coins lost?”
Based on 200 Reddit posts and comments from the last 12 months, checked Oct 20, 2026. These are posts by users on other sites, not reviews submitted on CryptoReview.
User reviews
No user reviews yet. Have you used Base? Share your experience below.
FAQ
Who founded Base?
Base was created by Jesse Pollak, a senior engineering leader at Coinbase, and incubated internally before launching on mainnet in August 2023.
Does Base have its own native token?
No, Base does not have a native network token. All transaction fees on the network are paid in standard ETH.
How much are transaction fees on Base?
Transactions on Base typically cost between $0.01 and $0.05. Fees are split into an L2 execution fee and an L1 data security fee.
How long do withdrawals from Base to Ethereum take?
Native bridge withdrawals from Base take approximately 7 days due to the optimistic rollup challenge period.
Who operates the Base sequencer?
Coinbase operates the centralized sequencer for Base. While Base is classified as a Stage 1 rollup with active fraud proofs, sequencer ordering remains managed by a single entity.
Latest from Base on X
Is this real life?
Trade base:0xb2000000000000000000001e800a7f5189430cd0 with deep liquidity on Base https://t.co/tW65x0drEA
Trade base:0xb2000000000000000000001e800a7f5189430cd0 with deep liquidity on Base https://t.co/tW65x0drEA
👖
Shipping on a Sunday is based
Base is open on Halloween
Base is open every day https://t.co/iN9hAqUCGS
Base is open every day https://t.co/iN9hAqUCGS
Recent public posts from @base, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.
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