Chain Guides4 min read
Base: Coinbase is Layer 2 for the Next Billion Users
Explore Base — the Coinbase-incubated Layer 2 designed for mainstream crypto adoption with ultra-low fees.
What Is Base?
Base is a Layer 2 blockchain incubated by Coinbase, built on the OP Stack (same technology as Optimism). It aims to bring the next billion users on-chain by offering an affordable, developer-friendly, and Coinbase-integrated experience.
Key Advantages
- Ultra-low fees: Typically under $0.01 per transaction
- Coinbase integration: Easy on-ramp for Coinbase's 100M+ users
- OP Stack: Shared development ecosystem with Optimism
- No token: No native governance token — gas is paid in ETH
Ecosystem Highlights
Base has seen explosive growth in DeFi, social (Farcaster), and memecoins. Key protocols include Aerodrome (DEX), Extra Finance (leverage), and Moonwell (lending).
Bridge and Trade on Base
Alkizen makes it effortless to bridge assets to Base and trade across its growing ecosystem. Swap any token on Base with deep liquidity aggregation, or bridge between Base and any other supported chain.