TheBlock
Coinbase's Ethereum Layer 2 network, Base, has launched Azul on mainnet — a significant protocol upgrade that advances the chain's roadmap toward full decentralization. The release marks a meaningful step away from the current sequencer-centralized architecture that most L2s still rely on today.
Azul is part of Base's staged decentralization plan, progressively reducing Coinbase's unilateral control over transaction ordering and chain governance. For the broader Ethereum ecosystem, a fully decentralized Base would represent one of the largest and most actively used L2s operating without a central point of failure or censorship.
The upgrade matters beyond Base itself: as one of the highest-throughput L2s by daily active users and transaction volume, Base's decentralization trajectory sets a benchmark that other Coinbase-adjacent and OP Stack chains will likely follow.
Frequently asked questions
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What are the implications of Base's decentralization for Ethereum's ecosystem?
A fully decentralized Base would enhance the Ethereum ecosystem by providing one of the largest L2s without central points of failure or censorship, potentially encouraging more users and developers to engage with decentralized applications.
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How does Azul contribute to Base's roadmap for decentralization?
Azul represents a significant upgrade that progressively reduces Coinbase's control over transaction ordering and governance, moving Base closer to its goal of full decentralization.
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