Base Network, the Ethereum Layer 2 backed by Coinbase, will implement major upgrades to improve performance. Jesse Pollak, the network’s lead developer, announced the changes on X on May 24, 2025.
Pollak said the goal is to reduce confirmation times to 200 milliseconds and keep transaction fees under $0.01. The network aims to handle over 200 transactions per second in the near term.
These upgrades respond to increased developer and user demand on Base Layer 2.
Base Flashblocks to Launch by Summer 2025
A key part of the Base upgrade is Flashblocks, a system designed to introduce “preconfirmation blocks” for near-instant transaction feedback. Testing is currently underway, and Coinbase Base plans to deploy Flashblocks on mainnet by summer 2025.
The team also plans to increase Base gas throughput. Capacity is expected to rise from 25 million gas per second (Mgas/s) to 50 Mgas/s by Q2 2025, and reach 250 Mgas/s by year-end.
Pollak said this increase would allow the network to support more activity without higher costs or slower speeds.
Base Protocol Logic Moves to Ethereum Layer 1
As part of decentralization efforts, Base Network will shift core protocol functions to Ethereum Layer 1. Pollak confirmed that this includes state transition logic, which will be handled via smart contracts.
This change allows developers and validators outside Coinbase to help shape how Base Layer 2 evolves. Development is ongoing, with deployments planned in stages.
The Base upgrade aims to match the performance of chains like Solana and Sui blockchain, known for their low fees and high throughput. The upgrade also focuses on maintaining Ethereum-level security while offering better transaction handling.
Coinbase Base expects that infrastructure enhancements rolled out across 2025 will improve scalability and network responsiveness. Key milestones include the rollout of Flashblocks, expanded gas throughput, and smart contract-based protocol logic.
