Coinbase’s Ethereum layer-2 network, Base, is transitioning away from its reliance on Optimism’s OP Stack, as announced in a recent blog post. This strategic move aims to enhance control over its infrastructure and code, allowing Base to streamline upgrades and improve operational efficiency.
Launched in 2023, Base has quickly established itself as a prominent player in the Ethereum layer-2 space, currently holding $3.85 billion in locked assets. The team emphasized that while they are moving to a self-managed codebase, they will continue to collaborate with Optimism for support and maintain compatibility with OP Stack standards.
The decision to shift towards an independent framework is intended to accelerate the pace of major updates, with the goal of doubling the frequency to six significant upgrades annually. The team reassured users and developers that this change will not disrupt current operations.
“This unification does not mean Base will be built in isolation. The protocol remains public and specified in the open, and alternative implementations are welcome and encouraged,” the team stated.
Following the announcement, the OP token experienced a 4% decline in value over the past day.
Coinbase's Base network is moving to a self-managed codebase, reducing its dependence on Optimism's technology. This shift aims to enhance upgrade speed while maintaining compatibility with existing standards.