Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin praised Base as a model Layer-2, combining user-friendly design with Ethereum’s decentralized security. He emphasized that Base is non-custodial and cannot block or seize user funds, countering misconceptions about L2 oversight.
Vitalik Buterin Calls Base a Model Ethereum L2
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Vitalik Defends Base, Dispels Misconceptions on L2 Security
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has called Base, Coinbase’s Layer-2 network, a “model Ethereum L2” for its ability to improve user experience while remaining secured by Ethereum’s decentralized foundation.
Speaking on L2 security in an X post, Buterin stressed that Base is non-custodial under L2beat’s Stage 1 definition, meaning it cannot seize assets or block withdrawals. He noted that if an L2 were to shut down, Ethereum’s L1 smart contract logic ensures users can still retrieve their funds without the operator’s involvement.
“ L2s are not glorified servers,” Buterin explained. “They are extensions of Ethereum L1 that ensure that the L2 users’ funds are ultimately controlled by L1; they cannot be stolen or blocked by the L2 operator.”
Buterin also pushed back against the idea that L2beat, a project tracking rollup security, is a “nerd compliance authority.” Instead, he said its ratings measure concrete protections that prevent users from being rugged.
Base, he argued, strikes the right balance, leveraging centralized features to enhance UX while relying on Ethereum for settlement and security. That combination, according to Buterin, makes it a strong example of how L2s should be built.
