Buterin Defends Coinbase’s Base Layer-2 Network
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Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum co-founder, defended Coinbase's Base Layer-2 (L2) network against criticisms conflating core concepts and overlooking user protection guarantees. Buterin clarified that Base, an L2 built on Ethereum, leverages centralized features for improved user experience while maintaining Ethereum's decentralized security. He highlighted that L2s like Base are non-custodial, meaning they don't control user funds; users retain control via the Ethereum base layer. Buterin emphasized the existence of “force-exit” mechanisms and anti-censorship pathways implemented in Ethereum's smart contracts, ensuring user funds are ultimately governed by L1 and cannot be stolen or blocked by the L2 operator. He addressed concerns around L2BEAT's “stage-1” designation, explaining that while a security council can override on-chain code, a significant portion of the council is independent, preventing unilateral censorship or theft. Buterin pointed to Base's roadmap towards “stage-2,” where even a unanimous council cannot override on-chain logic. The core technical assurances are inclusion (users can submit transactions directly through Ethereum L1) and exit (users can initiate withdrawals enforced by L1 contracts). Buterin's intervention aims to clarify the non-custodial nature of L2s, emphasizing the concrete security properties and pathways ensuring user funds are ultimately controlled by Ethereum's L1.
(Source: https://bitcoinist.com/ethereum-buterin-defends-coinbase/)
