The highly anticipated launch of Base, the blockchain developed by publicly traded cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, is now live. On Wednesday, the company announced that the Base mainnet has officially gone live and is open to the public, launching with over 100 decentralized applications (dApps) and service providers already integrated into its ecosystem.
Led by Jesse Pollak, Coinbase’s Head of Protocols, the initiative aims to create a seamless, scalable, and developer-friendly environment built on Ethereum’s Layer 2 infrastructure. Users can now explore a wide range of dApps on Base, benefiting from lower transaction fees and faster processing speeds compared to the Ethereum mainnet—key factors in driving broader adoption of web3 technologies.
Since its initial rollout on the testnet in February 2025 and the developer-focused launch in July, Base has rapidly attracted a diverse set of crypto projects. These include decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, digital wallets, cross-chain bridges, oracle services, and analytics and infrastructure providers.
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What Is Base by Coinbase?
Base is more than just another Layer 2 solution—it’s Coinbase’s vision for a mainstream entry point into the decentralized web. The platform is designed to be secure, low-cost, and developer-friendly, with the long-term goal of bringing the next billion users to web3.
“We’re excited to announce that the Base mainnet is now live and available to everyone. At launch, there are over 100 dApps and service providers available in the Base ecosystem, along with deep integrations across the Coinbase product suite,” said Jesse Pollak.
This strategic integration with Coinbase’s existing products—including its wallet, exchange, and developer tools—positions Base as a central pillar in the company’s broader blockchain ambitions. It’s not just a standalone network; it’s a foundational layer for future innovation within the Coinbase ecosystem.
Key Features of the Base Blockchain
- Built on OP Stack: Base leverages Optimism’s OP Stack, a modular framework designed for Ethereum Layer 2 rollups. This enables high interoperability across other OP Stack-based chains like Optimism itself.
- Low-Cost Transactions: By processing transactions off the Ethereum main chain and batching them for final settlement, Base significantly reduces gas fees.
- Fast Finality: Transactions are confirmed quickly, improving user experience for apps requiring real-time interactions.
- Developer-Centric Design: With full EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) compatibility, developers can easily port existing Ethereum dApps to Base with minimal code changes.
These technical advantages make Base an attractive platform for builders looking to scale their applications without sacrificing security or decentralization.
Ecosystem Growth and Adoption
At the time of launch, Base already hosts a thriving ecosystem of over 100 dApps spanning DeFi, NFTs, gaming, identity, and social platforms. According to data from DeFi Llama, the Total Value Locked (TVL) on Base has surpassed $45 million, making it one of the top-performing Layer 2 networks shortly after mainnet activation.
The leading protocol on Base is BaseSwap, a decentralized exchange with a TVL of $21.9 million. It’s followed by **SushiSwap V3** ($6 million TVL) and RocketSwap Base ($4 million TVL). These figures highlight strong early traction in the DeFi space, signaling confidence from both users and liquidity providers.
TVL is a critical metric in evaluating blockchain health and user engagement. With $45 million locked, Base ranks as the fifth-largest Layer 2 blockchain by TVL—a remarkable achievement for a newly launched network.
This rapid growth is fueled not only by technical performance but also by strategic partnerships and ecosystem incentives. Coinbase has made it clear that fostering developer adoption is a top priority.
Security and Interoperability: The Foundation of Trust
While scalability is essential, security remains paramount—especially when handling user funds and smart contract execution. Base addresses this by inheriting Ethereum’s robust security model through optimistic rollup technology.
Transactions are executed on Base but ultimately settled on Ethereum, meaning they benefit from Ethereum’s decentralized consensus layer. This hybrid approach ensures that Base remains secure while achieving higher throughput and lower costs.
Additionally, being built on the OP Stack allows Base to participate in a growing network of interoperable Layer 2 chains. This opens up possibilities for seamless asset transfers, shared liquidity pools, and cross-chain composability—key ingredients for a truly interconnected web3 future.
Onchain Summer: Driving Mainstream Awareness
To celebrate the mainnet launch, Coinbase has launched a marketing campaign called “Onchain Summer”, featuring corporate partners such as Coca-Cola. The initiative aims to introduce blockchain technology to mainstream audiences through real-world use cases, gamified experiences, and limited-edition NFTs.
This kind of high-profile collaboration underscores Coinbase’s ambition to bridge traditional finance and digital assets. By partnering with global brands, the company hopes to demystify web3 and show how blockchain can enhance customer engagement, loyalty programs, and digital ownership.
Such campaigns are instrumental in driving user onboarding—not just for crypto natives but for everyday consumers who may be encountering blockchain for the first time.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Base by Coinbase?
A: Base is a Layer 2 blockchain developed by Coinbase using Optimism’s OP Stack. It's designed to offer low-cost, fast, and secure transactions on Ethereum while providing a developer-friendly environment for building decentralized applications.
Q: Is Base its own blockchain or part of Ethereum?
A: Base is a Layer 2 blockchain built on top of Ethereum. It processes transactions off-chain and settles them on Ethereum, combining scalability with Ethereum’s security.
Q: How does Base reduce transaction fees?
A: By using optimistic rollup technology, Base batches multiple transactions off the main Ethereum chain and submits them as a single transaction, drastically reducing gas costs for users.
Q: Can I use my existing Ethereum wallet on Base?
A: Yes. Since Base is EVM-compatible, most Ethereum wallets like MetaMask work seamlessly with Base after adding the network manually or through integrations like Coinbase Wallet.
Q: What types of dApps are available on Base?
A: At launch, Base supports DeFi platforms like BaseSwap and SushiSwap, NFT marketplaces, bridges, wallets, identity tools, and social apps—with more expected as the ecosystem grows.
Q: How does Base compare to other Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum or Optimism?
A: While all three use optimistic rollup technology, Base benefits from direct integration with Coinbase’s massive user base and product suite, giving it a unique advantage in user acquisition and developer support.
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With its strong technical foundation, growing ecosystem, and backing from one of the most influential players in crypto, Base represents a significant step forward in Ethereum’s scalability journey. As more users and developers migrate to efficient Layer 2 solutions, networks like Base will play a crucial role in shaping the future of decentralized finance and digital ownership.