Base, Coinbase's leading layer-2 network, has officially reached "Stage 1" rollup status, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward full decentralization. This upgrade reduces reliance on centralized entities and enhances network security through structural improvements.
Key Enhancements in Stage 1 Rollup Status
Security Council Implementation
Base now features a security council composed of ten independent global entities selected from the Base and Ethereum ecosystems. This council oversees critical network upgrades, ensuring decentralized governance.
"These members represent diverse expertise, balancing ecosystem growth with security," said Tom Vieira, Base’s Head of Product.
Permissionless Fault Proofs
Transactions on Base can now be verified without centralized intermediaries. Users and validators independently confirm transaction integrity, aligning with Ethereum’s trustless principles.
The Stage 1 Framework: Vitalik Buterin’s Vision
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin introduced the "stage" classification system in 2022 to evaluate rollup decentralization:
| Stage | Decentralization Level | Key Traits |
|------------|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| Stage 0 | Highly centralized | Single operator controls upgrades |
| Stage 1 | Limited decentralization | Security council + permissionless proofs |
| Stage 2 | Full decentralization | No governance "training wheels" |
Buterin recently reiterated that only Stage 1+ rollups meet his security standards for public endorsement.
Base’s Growth and Future Roadmap
Launched in August 2022, Base has become the largest Ethereum rollup, with $11.72B in total value locked (TVL). This upgrade reduces Coinbase’s operational influence, advancing Base’s autonomy.
👉 Explore how Base’s architecture boosts scalability
FAQ: Base’s Stage 1 Transition
Q: How does Stage 1 improve Base’s security?
A: The security council and permissionless fault proofs distribute control, minimizing single points of failure.
Q: What’s next for Base after Stage 1?
A: The focus shifts to achieving Stage 2—removing all governance dependencies for full decentralization.
Q: Why did Buterin emphasize Stage 1 as a benchmark?
A: To ensure rollups prioritize security and decentralization before scaling adoption.
Conclusion
Base’s Stage 1 milestone underscores its commitment to Ethereum-aligned decentralization. With robust security measures and growing ecosystem adoption, it sets a precedent for layer-2 evolution.