Base, an Ethereum Layer 2 network incubated by Coinbase, is set to introduce permissionless fault proofs on October 30. This upgrade aims to decentralize the platform, reducing its dependency on a single controlling entity.
“Fault proofs are coming to Base mainnet on October 30th, marking a key milestone on the path to decentralization,” the network announced.
Fault proofs are coming to Base mainnet on October 30th, marking a key milestone on the path to decentralization
This means anyone can monitor and permissionlessly challenge invalid withdrawals, removing the need for a trusted third party
The Base team has been collaborating…
— Base (@base) October 23, 2024
Base, launched in August 2023 using Optimism’s OP Stack, has rapidly become the largest Layer 2 rollup on Ethereum by total value locked (TVL). The integration of fault proofs follows a similar implementation on Optimism’s OP Mainnet. Both Base and Optimism are part of the Superchain ecosystem, which also includes projects like Zora, Mode, and Fraxtal.
The upcoming upgrade is a collaborative effort between Base and Optimism. Fault proofs are a critical feature for Ethereum Layer 2 platforms, allowing users to challenge potentially incorrect or fraudulent transactions, thereby enhancing security.
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Previously, a centralized proposer was responsible for submitting output roots that reflected the state of the Base network. This meant users had to rely on the network operators to accurately report these state roots to the main Ethereum mainnet. The implementation of fault proofs changes this dynamic—allowing any participant to submit claims about the network’s state and contest invalid transactions.
Although most optimistic rollups have yet to achieve full decentralization through the use of fault proofs and decentralized contract upgrades, exceptions like Arbitrum and Optimism’s OP Mainnet are already leading the way. With this upcoming integration, Base aims to join their ranks, enhancing the security and trustworthiness of the platform.