Table of Contents
What Is Base?
Base is an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain developed by Coinbase, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges. It was built using the OP Stack — the same modular framework that powers Optimism — and launched on mainnet in August 2023 after an extended testnet period.
Unlike many L2 projects, Base is not run by an independent startup. Coinbase operates the network and contributes to its development, giving it direct access to one of the largest retail crypto audiences in the world. Coinbase Wallet users can add Base to their wallet in one tap, lowering the barrier to entry significantly.
Base is fully EVM-compatible: any smart contract that runs on Ethereum runs on Base without modification. Transactions confirm in seconds and fees typically cost a fraction of a cent, making it practical for everyday use cases like trading, minting NFTs, and launching tokens.
Key facts about Base:
- Built on the OP Stack by Coinbase; incubated with the Optimism Collective
- Mainnet launched: August 9, 2023
- Gas token: ETH (no separate BASE token as of 2026)
- Security model: transactions batch-settle on Ethereum L1
- Developer tools: Hardhat, Foundry, Remix — all fully compatible
Technical Specs
Here are the exact network parameters you need to connect to Base and deploy contracts:
| Parameter | Mainnet | Sepolia Testnet |
|---|---|---|
| Chain ID | 8453 | 84532 |
| RPC URL | https://mainnet.base.org | https://sepolia.base.org |
| Block Explorer | https://basescan.org | https://sepolia.basescan.org |
| Gas Token | ETH | ETH (test) |
| Consensus | OP Stack (Optimistic Rollup) | |
Base uses Basescan (basescan.org) as its primary block explorer — it works exactly like Etherscan, letting you look up transactions, wallet balances, token holders, and verify smart contracts. The testnet Sepolia environment is ideal for testing your contracts before deploying with real ETH on mainnet.
EVM Compatibility
Base achieves full EVM equivalence via the OP Stack's execution layer. Every opcode, precompile, and EIP supported on Ethereum's mainnet is available on Base. This means:
- Solidity and Vyper contracts compile and deploy without any changes
- Frameworks like Hardhat, Foundry, and Remix connect by simply switching the chain ID
- Libraries like ethers.js, viem, and web3.js work natively
- All major wallets — MetaMask, Rabby, Coinbase Wallet, Trust Wallet — support Base
Coinbase Wallet automatically adds Base as a network for its users. For other wallets (including MetaMask), you need to add the network manually using the Chain ID 8453 and the RPC URL above. Chainlist.org can add it in one click if you prefer.
DeFi Ecosystem
Despite being relatively young, Base has attracted billions of dollars in DeFi TVL and hosts a wide range of protocols:
Aerodrome Finance
Aerodrome is the dominant native DEX on Base. It is a fork of Velodrome (Optimism's flagship DEX) and uses a ve(3,3) tokenomics model where liquidity providers and veAERO holders jointly direct emissions. Most new Base tokens add their initial liquidity on Aerodrome.
Uniswap V3
Uniswap V3 is fully deployed on Base and provides deep liquidity for the most-traded pairs. Its concentrated liquidity model allows capital-efficient pools — useful for launching a token with a tighter price range.
Lending: Aave, Compound, Morpho
Aave V3 and Compound V3 both operate on Base, offering lending and borrowing against major assets like WETH, USDC, and cbBTC. Morpho adds an optimized lending layer on top of Aave and Compound, improving rates for both sides.
Coinbase Onramp
One of Base's biggest advantages over other L2s is the Coinbase onramp integration. Coinbase exchange users can move USD directly to Base ETH without going through Ethereum or using a bridge. This significantly reduces friction for new users and brings retail money on-chain faster.
Creating Tokens on Base
Base uses the ERC-20 token standard, identical to Ethereum. Any token contract that works on Ethereum works on Base without modification. This makes Base an excellent choice for launching meme coins, utility tokens, governance tokens, and more.
💡 No-code token creation: You can deploy an ERC-20 token on Base at createmycoin.app/base-token in under 5 minutes. Set your token name, symbol, supply, and optional features like minting or burning. The deployment fee is 0.02 ETH — no coding required.
Once your token is deployed, the typical next steps are:
- Verify the contract on Basescan so users can read the source code and confirm there are no hidden functions
- Add token metadata (logo, description) so it appears correctly in wallets and explorers
- Create a liquidity pool on Aerodrome or Uniswap V3 so your token can be traded
- Distribute via airdrop, community sale, or liquidity mining to grow your holder base
Base's connection to Coinbase Wallet gives new tokens immediate visibility to millions of potential holders who are already on the Base network. Combined with low gas fees, it is one of the more retail-friendly chains for launching a new project.
How to Get Started
Step 1: Add Base to Your Wallet
To use Base, add it to MetaMask or any EVM wallet with the following settings:
- Network Name: Base
- RPC URL: https://mainnet.base.org
- Chain ID: 8453
- Currency Symbol: ETH
- Block Explorer: https://basescan.org
Step 2: Get ETH on Base
You need ETH on Base to pay gas fees. The easiest options:
- Coinbase account: Withdraw directly to Base — no bridge needed. Select "Base" as the network when withdrawing ETH from Coinbase.
- Bridge from Ethereum: Use the official Coinbase bridge at bridge.base.org or a third-party bridge like Across Protocol for faster transfers.
- Buy on-chain: If you already have other tokens on Base, swap for ETH on Aerodrome or Uniswap V3.
Step 3: Explore Base
With ETH in your Base wallet, you can:
- Swap tokens on Aerodrome or Uniswap V3
- Lend and borrow on Aave V3 or Morpho
- Mint and trade NFTs via OpenSea or Zora
- Deploy your own ERC-20 token at createmycoin.app/base-token
FAQ
What is Base blockchain?
Base is a Layer 2 blockchain built by Coinbase using the OP Stack. It launched in August 2023 and offers fast, low-cost transactions secured by Ethereum. It has Chain ID 8453 and uses ETH as its gas token.
Does Base have its own token?
No. As of 2026, Base does not have its own native token. ETH is the gas token on Base. Coinbase has stated there are no plans for a BASE token, though this could change in the future.
How do I add Base to MetaMask?
Open MetaMask, go to Settings → Networks → Add Network, and enter: Network Name: Base, RPC URL: https://mainnet.base.org, Chain ID: 8453, Symbol: ETH, Block Explorer: https://basescan.org.
How do I create a token on Base?
You can create an ERC-20 token on Base in minutes using CreateMyCoin. Visit createmycoin.app/base-token, connect your wallet, configure your token name, symbol, and supply, then deploy for a 0.02 ETH fee. No coding required.
What DEXs are on Base?
Base has a rich DeFi ecosystem including Aerodrome Finance (the dominant native DEX), Uniswap V3, and Curve Finance. These let you create liquidity pools and trade tokens without a centralized exchange.