Base surpasses Arbitrum to become leading Layer 2 solution in terms of TVL
Developed by Coinbase, Base has become the top Layer 2 solution in terms of Total Value Locked (TVL), with $2.49 billion, surpassing Arbitrum. Base’s integration with 366 decentralized protocols and the significant contribution from decentralized exchange Aerodrome ($1.3 billion) have fueled its growth. Despite its success, Base remains centralized and is working on implementing fraud proofs to achieve complete decentralization in the future.
Base and the adoption of rollups: increasing network capacity
Base utilizes an optimistic rollup solution, a technology that processes transactions off the Ethereum main blockchain while periodically sending data back to it. This mechanism, based on the OP Stack, helps reduce transaction costs while increasing network scalability.
According to on-chain data, Base also outperforms other rollups in terms of user activity, with approximately 1.5 million active addresses each day. This level of engagement positions Base ahead of all other rollups, solidifying its leadership in the Ethereum scalability solutions market.
To meet growing user demand, Base has recently adjusted its gas target per block from 10 to 13 Mgas/s. This adjustment is part of a strategy to gradually increase network capacity, allowing for more transactions per block. Additional increases are planned weekly, with a final goal of 1 Ggas/s.
Base: centralized development and Ethereum-focused vision
Despite its successes, Base is still in its early stages of decentralization. At this stage, it is referred to as a ‘level 0’ optimistic rollup, a phase developers call the ‘training wheels’ phase. Currently, the fraud proofs system is not yet in place, meaning users must trust block proposals to submit accurate L1 state roots.
However, Base developers have confirmed that the implementation of fraud proofs is part of their roadmap, with work already underway to ensure complete decentralization in the near future.
Base’s rapid rise reflects Coinbase’s commitment and application developers’ dedication to realizing Ethereum’s vision focused on rollups. In less than a year, Base has become an essential player in the ecosystem, solidifying its position as the leading Layer 2 solution in terms of TVL and user activity.
Base’s development strategy continues to unfold, with progressive network capacity improvements and a focus on decentralization. This success is built on a combination of technological innovation and growing adoption, strengthening Base’s role in Ethereum’s future infrastructure.
