To change the basis from Optimist Tech stack to a ‘integrated’ architecture
Base, Ethereum's decentralized layer-2 scaling network, said Wednesday that it is moving from running on L2 blockchain protocol Optimism's tech stack to a self-contained, unified software architecture.
In the year Base, which started as Optimum Chain in 2023, is moving to its own technology stack to reduce reliance on external service providers and shorten the time it takes to ship new updates, according to an announcement from Base. The group said.
“Integrating into Base changes how Base packages and releases software to the network. For each update, we send one public release: a single Base binary for nodes running on the network.”
The transition is expected to simplify the Base network sequencer, which helps network authenticators order transactions, the Base engineering team said.
According to the project's roadmap, the release will take place in four phases, with Node runners having to switch to the new base client for official updates over the next several months.
Related: Base says configuration change causes transaction delays, fixes problem
The founder of Ethereum changes the tone on layer-2 scaling networks
Earlier this month, Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum's L1 blockchain network, changed course to support Ethereum through L2s.
L2s are taking longer than expected to transition to fully decentralized models, Buterin said, adding that Ethereum L1 is already scaling on its own and features lower network fees.
“The first vision of L2s and its role in Ethereum no longer makes sense, and we need a new way,” Buterin said in February.
Buterin's comments drew mixed reactions from L2 groups, with some agreeing that measurement networks need to move beyond being a cheap execution layer for Ethereum.
“It's great to see Ethereum scaling L1 – it's a win for the entire ecosystem. In the future, L2s won't be ‘just Ethereum, but cheap',” Base founder Jesse Pollack responded.
Other L2 founders argue that the scaling layers are already aligned with the network's long-term goals.
According to L2Beat, at the time of publication there are more than 128 different Ethereum L2 blockchains.
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