Vitalik Buterin Says Coinbase’s Base Is “Doing Things the Right Way” for L2s

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Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has entered the growing debate over Layer-2 scaling solutions, praising Coinbase’s Base network as a prime example of balancing user experience with Ethereum’s decentralized security guarantees. His remarks come as skepticism rises around whether Layer-2 networks can truly ensure user fund safety.

Base as a Model Layer-2

Buterin described Base as an Ethereum Layer-2 that is “doing things the right way.” While Base incorporates some centralized elements to streamline the user experience, its foundation remains anchored to Ethereum’s Layer 1 security model.

According to Buterin: “Base cannot seize user funds or prevent withdrawals. Its foundation is tied to Ethereum’s decentralized base layer, which provides the ultimate guarantee of security.”

This approach aligns with L2beat’s Stage 1 definition of a non-custodial Layer-2, ensuring that even if Base’s operators shut down, users would still be able to withdraw their assets directly through Ethereum.

Why Non-Custodial Layer-2s Matter

Buterin also addressed common misconceptions about Layer-2s, pushing back against the claim that they are merely “glorified servers posting hashes to Ethereum.” Instead, he emphasized that Ethereum Layer-2 networks are extensions of the main chain, powered by smart contract logic that guarantees user protection.

He highlighted real-world proof, pointing to Soneium’s success in preventing operator censorship earlier this year, demonstrating that protections against transaction blocking are no longer theoretical; they are working in live environments today.

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Pushing Back on Criticism

Much of the recent debate has centered on L2beat, the analytics platform that tracks and evaluates the security of Layer-2 projects. Some critics have dismissed L2beat as overly technical or elitist. But Buterin disagreed, arguing that L2beat plays a vital role in protecting users.

“L2beat is not a nerd compliance authority,” Buterin said. “The security guarantees it tracks are real mechanisms already coded into Ethereum’s base layer. They directly protect users from being rugged.”

In his view, these evaluations are not abstract; they represent measurable properties that safeguard user control over assets.

The Bigger Picture for Ethereum Scaling

Buterin’s endorsement of Base ties directly into Ethereum’s broader mission: scaling without sacrificing decentralization. Layer-2 solutions like Base are designed to make transactions cheaper and faster while preserving the trustless guarantees of Ethereum’s Layer-1.

He stressed that Ethereum scaling solutions must not focus solely on convenience:

“L2s shouldn’t just be about usability. They need to prove that they protect users’ control over their assets. That’s what makes Base a strong example of doing things the right way.”

By combining smoother user experiences with Ethereum’s robust security model, Base shows how Layer-2 networks can achieve mass adoption without compromising decentralization and user freedom.