EddieJayonCrypto
23 Sep 25
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin publicly praises Coinbase’s Base network as a revolutionary Layer 2 solution, highlighting its unique balance of speed, security, and user control. Buterin emphasizes Base’s compliance with strict security standards and its potential to bridge scalability and trus...
**Vitalik Buterin Hails Coinbase’s Base as a Blueprint for Layer 2 Innovation** In a rare public endorsement, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has praised Coinbase’s Base network as a standout example of how Layer 2 solutions should operate. His September 23 post on X highlighted Base’s unique balance of speed, usability, and security—a rare feat in the world of blockchain scalability. Buterin argued that Base, which runs on top of Ethereum’s mainnet, achieves this by leveraging centralized mechanisms to boost performance while preserving the security guarantees of Ethereum’s core chain. Unlike custodial services or exchanges, Base doesn’t control user funds. Instead, withdrawals and asset safety remain anchored to Ethereum’s infrastructure, ensuring users retain full control over their assets. A key reason for Buterin’s approval lies in Base’s compliance with L2Beat’s “Stage 1” criteria. This framework ensures that even if the network faces downtime, users can always reclaim their assets. Buterin explained that Stage 1 requires a security council with a 75% voting threshold to override on-chain code. However, at least 26% of the council must consist of members outside Coinbase, the organization managing the Layer 1. This structure prevents any single entity from censoring or stealing funds, effectively making Base non-custodial. “Calling Layer 2s ‘non-custodial’ isn’t just branding—it’s a technical reality,” Buterin wrote. He emphasized that Base’s security stems from Ethereum’s smart contract logic, which ensures Layer 1 ultimately governs fund movements. This means operators can’t siphon assets or block withdrawals, a safeguard embedded in Ethereum’s code. The numbers back up Base’s growing influence. As of late 2023, the network processes around 160 transactions per second, totaling nearly 360 million transactions in the past month. Its total value locked (TVL) has surged to $15 billion, ranking it second only to Arbitrum. This growth is fueled by Coinbase’s technical and brand support, which has helped Base become a dominant force in the Layer 2 space. Buterin’s endorsement underscores a broader trend: as Ethereum scales, solutions like Base are proving that decentralization and user experience aren’t mutually exclusive. By marrying Ethereum’s security with practical usability, Base isn’t just an extension of the Ethereum ecosystem—it’s a model for the future of blockchain innovation. What do you think? Can Layer 2s like Base truly bridge the gap between scalability and trust? Share your take.