Base is a Layer 2 blockchain network built on top of Ethereum, developed by Coinbase. It is designed to scale Ethereum by reducing transaction costs and increasing throughput, while still relying on Ethereum’s security.
Base uses Optimistic Rollups to execute transactions off-chain and periodically settle them on the Ethereum mainnet. This approach allows Base to offer faster and cheaper transactions while remaining compatible with Ethereum smart contracts and tooling.
Because Base is part of the broader Ethereum ecosystem, applications deployed on Ethereum can be easily extended to Base, making it a practical network for everyday transactions and decentralized applications (dApps).
Network Tokens
ETH (Ether)
ETH is used to pay for gas fees on the Base network. To use ETH on Base, it must be bridged from Ethereum mainnet. Once bridged, ETH can be used for transactions and smart contract interactions on Base.
Base does not have a separate governance.
For step-by-step instructions on bridging ETH to Base, see our bridging guide.
Learn more at base.org.