Coinbase's Base Ditches Optimistic Rollups, Bets $12B On ZK Proofs

Base, the Coinbase-incubated Ethereum(ETH) Layer 2 holding around $12B in total capital, is overhauling its security model to adopt zero-knowledge proofs.

Base ZK Architecture Shift

The network will combine a trusted execution environment with ZK proofs to secure chain finality, according to a press release from the team.

Proofs will be generated through Succinct Labs' SP1, an open-source zkVM that produces succinct ZK proofs of arbitrary Rust-based computation.

After mainnet deployment, Base becomes the largest single Ethereum operator running ZK proofs for finality. The change replaces the multi-day challenge window tied to optimistic rollups with cryptographic finality, cutting the path to one-day settlement.

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Vitalik Buterin Endgame Validation

Wilson Cussak, head of Base Chain, said the upgrade is meant to deepen the network's security and resiliency as activity grows. The shift also lines up with views from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, who has described zk-EVMs as Ethereum's block validation endgame.

He expects them to become the dominant proving method between 2027 and 2030.

The pivot lands weeks after Base co-founder Jesse Pollak publicly rejected accusations of behind-the-scenes price manipulation on the network, telling critics the team does not coordinate to push specific assets.

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