Introduction of Fault Proofs and Security Council Key Factors of Base
Base, an Ethereum Layer 2 rollup developed by Coinbase, has reached “stage 1” according to Vitalik Buterin’s rollup decentralization framework.
This advancement indicates less dependence on centralized entities.
Achieving stage 1 involved implementing permissionless fault proofs and establishing a security council to decentralize contract upgrades and lessen Coinbase’s control.
Base, launched in August 2023 using Optimism’s OP Stack, is currently the largest Ethereum Layer 2 network by total value locked.
Moving Beyond Stage 0 Limitations
Previously, Base was categorized as a stage 0 rollup.
The distinction was primarily due to its reliance on a centralized sequencer operated by Coinbase and the lack of fully active permissionless fault proofs on its mainnet.
Stage 0 signifies that key functions like state validation, transaction sequencing, and upgrades depend heavily on centralized operators like the project team.
Implementation of Decentralization Mechanisms
Base deployed fault proofs on its Mainnet in October 2023.
This feature allows any participant to monitor and challenge invalid withdrawal transactions without permission.
Fault proofs enable users to dispute transactions suspected of being incorrect or fraudulent on Layer 2 networks.
Fault proofs alone did not fulfill stage 1 requirements.
Base needed additional components, including a permissionless validation system and safeguards against control by a single entity.
To meet these criteria, Base introduced a “security council” comprising 10 independent entities.
This council, along with Base and Optimism representatives, must reach a 75% consensus for any software upgrades.
Implications of Stage 1 Status
The Base team states that achieving stage 1 provides stronger security guarantees and reduces trust assumptions for the network.
Multiple stakeholders share control over network functionality and upgrades thanks to operational fault proofs and the decentralized security council.
The result offers developers greater certainty regarding the network’s infrastructure and prevents unexpected changes to its rules by a single party, thus reducing central points of failure.
Also Read: Experimental Token on Base Crashes By 95%
