Vitalik Buterin Praises Coinbase’s Base Chain as ETH-Aligned Rollup
ETH co-founder Vitalik Buterin has publicly praised Coinbase’s Layer 2 blockchain, Base, calling it one of the most “ETH-aligned” rollups currently in operation. His endorsement comes as the ETH ecosystem continues to rely on Layer 2 answers to enhance scalability, reduce costs, and improve user experience while staying true to the network’s decentralization ethos.
Base, which launched in 2023, was developed by Coinbase on top of the Optimism OP Stack. The chain has rapidly gained traction by combining Coinbase’s global reach with ETH’s decentralized security model. According to Buterin, Base’s design is notable because it guarantees user control over funds without depending on Coinbase itself, setting it apart from custodial or semi-custodial systems that can restrict access.
ETH principles in practice
Buterin emphasized that Base embodies ETH’s principle of trust minimization, noting that the network cannot seize or block user withdrawals. significantly, users are able to exit to ETH mainnet even if the Base chain were to stop operating. This secureguard, often highlighted in ETH’s rollup standards, ensures that security ultimately rests with ETH’s base layer rather than a single company or intermediary.
This feature has been central to ETH’s rollup-centric scaling roadmap, where multiple Layer 2 answers are expected to process the majority of transactions in the future. By maintaining these trust assumptions, Base is positioning itself as a secure and ETH-native option for users who value decentralization.
Broader implications for ETH scaling
Base’s emergence illustrates how platform-backed initiatives can support ETH’s long-term goals without compromising on decentralization. Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency platforms globally, has leveraged its infrastructure and user base to accelerate adoption of Base, bringing new participants into the ETH ecosystem. The chain has already attracted decentralized applications (dApps), DeFi protocols, and NFT projects, expanding its ecosystem at a rapid pace.
Buterin’s comments could further strengthen developer confidence in Base, encouraging builders to view the chain as both a secure and scalable environment. Analysts believe this endorsement may lead to increased liquidity, greater dApp deployment, and wider mainstream adoption. For ETH, the success of Base is also a validation of the rollup model as a sustainable scaling path.
ETH’s roadmap has long prioritized Layer 2 expansion, and projects like Base highlight the effectiveness of this approach. With gas costs on ETH mainnet often posing a barrier to entry, rollups provide a way to handle millions of transactions more efficiently while still anchoring security in ETH itself.
As the competition among Layer 2 answers intensifies, alignment with ETH’s principles has become a benchmark for credibility. By meeting these standards, Base is not only enhancing Coinbase’s role in the crypto economy but also advancing ETH’s broader mission of global, decentralized adoption.
Buterin’s endorsement signals that platform-driven initiatives can coexist with ETH’s decentralized vision, provided they adhere to core principles. For users, developers, and institutions exploring on-chain opportunities, Base offers an accessible yet secure gateway into the ETH ecosystem, potentially serving as a model for future rollup development.
