Vitalik Buterin Champions Base as the Ultimate Layer-2 Blueprint for Ethereum’s Future

Ethereum's co-founder just drew a line in the sand—and Base stands firmly on the right side.

The Layer-2 Scaling Revolution

Vitalik Buterin's endorsement cuts through the noise of competing scaling solutions, positioning Coinbase's Base as the architectural benchmark others should emulate. This isn't just another protocol endorsement—it's a strategic alignment with Ethereum's core vision for scalable decentralization.

Why Base Gets the Nod

Buterin's validation bypasses technical jargon to highlight what matters: seamless user experience, robust security inheritence from Ethereum mainnet, and transaction costs that don't require taking out a second mortgage. Base demonstrates how layer-2 solutions can maintain Ethereum's security while achieving throughput that makes traditional finance look like it's running on dial-up.

The Institutional Implications

When Ethereum's chief architect defends a specific scaling approach, Wall Street's crypto-curious institutions take notice. Base's model could finally provide the infrastructure needed for mass adoption—something that makes traditional bankers nervous about their 9-figure bonuses.

Building the Next Generation Web3 Stack

This isn't just about faster transactions. Buterin's stance signals that the future Ethereum ecosystem will be built on layer-2 foundations that prioritize both performance and principles. Base's approach could become the template that finally delivers on blockchain's promise without compromising on decentralization.

The verdict? Base represents the kind of pragmatic innovation that moves entire industries forward—while reminding traditional finance that their legacy systems are about as modern as a fax machine in a Zoom meeting.

• Vitalik Buterin calls Base a model Ethereum Layer-2 with non-custodial safeguards.
• Base sequencer ensures faster transaction flow without acting as a trading engine.
• Base is progressing toward higher decentralization while keeping user funds secure.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has addressed concerns over Coinbase’s Base network, describing it as a model Layer-2 solution that balances efficiency with security.

He explained that while Base uses some centralized features to improve user experience, its foundation remains tied to Ethereum’s decentralized Layer-1.

Base is doing things the right way: an L2 on top of Ethereum, that uses its centralized features to provide stronger UX features, while still being tied into Ethereum's decentralized base LAYER for security.

Base does not have custody over your funds, they cannot steal funds or… https://t.co/0EMdThg4gU

Buterin stressed that Base is non-custodial, meaning it cannot block or seize user withdrawals. This falls under L2beat’s Stage 1 definition, ensuring that users’ funds are safeguarded by ethereum smart contract logic, even in cases where an L2 shuts down.

He also pushed back on criticism, noting that L2beat’s security classifications are not abstract rules but reflect real protections that prevent user funds from being compromised.

Sequencers Act as Coordinators, Not Trading Engines

The uproar over Base continued after concerns arose over the use of sequencers. Jesse.base.eth explained the functions of sequencers as transaction coordinators and not as trading engines.

On Base, the sequencer serializes user transactions first-in, first-out, computes state updates, and pushes them onto Ethereum’s mainnet for settlement.

This procedure makes it possible to pay lower fees and get confirmations faster compared to transacting directly on Ethereum Layer-1.

1/ as a follow-up to @iampaulgrewal's comments, I want to provide more detail on how the @base sequencer actually works — and fully shut down the FUD that folks are actively spreading around the role sequencers play https://t.co/IEutNTbuov

There are two notable takeaways from this design. First, the user can actually bypass the sequencer completely by trading directly with the Ethereum validators themselves, which ensures decentralization and censorship-resistance.

Secondly, sequencers don’t actually match orders as traditional exchanges do; they just carry out the order of the transactions.

Real trading occurs at the application level of the smart contracts, like the decentralized exchanges. This makes all the difference since it WOULD eliminate concerns that the Base would behave like an unlicensed securities exchange.

Base Extends Ethereum, Maintains Non-Custodial Security

Base has made decentralization breakthroughs since its founding. Over the past two years, it reached Stage 1 on L2beat and added permissionless proposals for blocks.

The development team is continuing plans into Stage 2, which involves more decentralization of the blocks for reduced reliance on the centralized operators.

Buterin explained once again that the Base extends Ethereum but does not FORM a new system. The non-custodial structure ensures the Layer-1 mechanisms wind up regulating user funds.

He cited real-life situations, such as the Soneium crisis this year, when the Layer-2 had issues, but the safety of Ethereum rescued the users and got their funds back.

Against this backdrop, Base positions itself as a decentralized scaling infrastructure for the global on-chain economy of Ethereum, providing speed and efficiency without the defeat of decentralization and security.