Base is a layer 2 network on top of Ethereum that was incubated by Coinbase and built with the OP Stack. This article explains how it works, what you pay in fees, why it is popular for cheap USDC transfers, and what to check before you send.
If layer 2 is a new term, read layer 1, layer 2 and layer 3 first.
What Base is and who built it
Base was announced in 2023 and incubated by Coinbase, a US crypto company. Coinbase builds and operates it, and Base is described as open to anyone building on it. The software is the OP Stack, the open-source code created for Optimism. Base contributes to this shared code.
It was made to give people an easy and cheap place to use Ethereum apps, close to a large base of existing users. Typical uses today include sending stablecoins, trading, social apps and onchain games. Base has no network token of its own.
How it works: an OP Stack rollup
Base is an optimistic rollup. It runs transactions on its own chain, then posts the compressed transaction data to Ethereum, so the chain state can be rebuilt from Ethereum alone. "Optimistic" means results are accepted unless someone proves them wrong during a challenge period.
A sequencer orders transactions and produces a block every 2 seconds. The sequencer is run by Base, which is a central point: it provides quick confirmations, and it could in theory delay or censor transactions. Users have a way to force transactions through Ethereum if the sequencer fails, though it is slower. See rollups: optimistic vs zk.
Finality
A transaction is in the next 2-second block. It becomes safe when its batch is posted to Ethereum, and final when that Ethereum block is finalized, about 13 minutes later. Withdrawals through the standard bridge to Ethereum take around seven days because of the challenge period. See finality and confirmations.
The Superchain idea
Base belongs to the Superchain, a vision of many OP Stack chains that share software, standards and, over time, connections between them. For users this mostly means that chains like Base and Optimism behave alike, and tooling made for one works on the other.
Fees
The gas token is ETH. A transaction fee has two parts:
- L2 execution fee: gas used times the Base gas price, with an EIP-1559 style base fee.
- L1 data fee: the cost of posting a compressed copy of your transaction to Ethereum. It follows Ethereum gas and blob prices.
Together they are shown as one fee in your wallet and are usually a fraction of a cent for a simple transfer. They rise when Base is busy, and when Ethereum data costs rise. Check the current numbers on the gas tracker, which includes the L1 data fee. See also gas and fees.
Addresses and tokens
Base uses the standard 0x address, the same as Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism and Polygon. The same wallet works, but the balance on Base is separate. Tokens use the ERC-20 standard.
Why Base is popular for USDC payments
Fees on Base are low and blocks are quick, so sending 20 USDC to a friend can cost less than a cent and arrives in seconds. USDC is issued natively on Base by Circle, so it is not a bridged copy. Wallets and apps from Coinbase make it easy to buy and move stablecoins there. These are practical reasons many people use it for small transfers. Other chains such as Solana or Polygon can be as cheap, so compare on the gas page. See the cheapest way to send USDC and stablecoins.
How Base compares
| Base | Optimism | Arbitrum | Ethereum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Builder | Coinbase | OP Labs / Collective | Offchain Labs | Community |
| Stack | OP Stack | OP Stack | Nitro | Not applicable |
| Gas token | ETH | ETH | ETH | ETH |
| Own token | None | OP | ARB | ETH only |
| Block time | 2 seconds | 2 seconds | Under a second | 12 seconds |
What to watch out for
- Wrong network. A 0x address looks identical on all EVM chains. If an exchange expects Base and you send on Ethereum, or the opposite, the deposit may be lost or delayed.
- Fake tokens. Anyone can launch a token. Verify contract addresses, especially for new tokens.
- Seven-day exit. The standard bridge back to Ethereum takes about a week. Fast bridges charge a fee and add trust assumptions. See bridges and their risks.
- One sequencer. Ordering is run by Base. Check Base's documentation for the current state of decentralization.
- Approvals and phishing. Do not sign requests you do not understand.
Follow Base live on ChainMonitor
- Live blocks: tiles showing how full each block is and the fees paid.
- Recent blocks list and the header search for any transaction or address.
- Gas tracker: ETH send, USDC transfer and swap costs on Base, with the L1 data fee.
- RPC health for Base: public endpoints ranked by latency and lag, with one-click add to wallet.
Frequently asked questions
Is Base owned by Coinbase?
Base was incubated by Coinbase, and Coinbase builds and operates it, including the sequencer. It is built on the open-source OP Stack and is described as open to all developers.
Does Base have its own token?
Base has no network token of its own. Fees are paid in ETH.
Is Base the same as Optimism?
No, but they use the same software, the OP Stack, and belong to the same Superchain idea. They are separate chains with separate balances and separate builders.
Why are Base fees so low?
Base runs transactions off Ethereum and shares the cost of posting data to Ethereum among all users. Blocks are also rarely full.
How long does a Base withdrawal to Ethereum take?
Through the standard bridge, about seven days. Third-party bridges can be faster for a fee.
Do I need ETH to send USDC on Base?
Yes. Gas is paid in ETH, so keep a small amount of ETH on Base for fees.