On April 29, 2025, Base, a Coinbase-backed Ethereum layer 2 (L2) network, announced that it hit Stage 1 decentralization.
That’s massive in an ecosystem where most L2s are still clinging to centralized control. Better yet, this move has sparked wild chatter about a Base token. Could it happen?
The Centralization Mess in Ethereum L2s
Ethereum L2s, like Base, Optimism, and Arbitrum , are designed to make Ethereum faster and cheaper by handling transactions off-chain while keeping data on-chain.
However, most L2s are way more centralized than you’d expect for a blockchain. According to L2Beat data, only a handful of L2s have moved beyond Stage 0—where a single sequencer controls everything.
Number of L2’s to Hit Stage1| Source: L2Beat
Centralized sequencers are a problem. They can censor transactions, delay them, or even roll them back if they feel like it.
That’s not the decentralized dream Satoshi Nakamoto promised in his Bitcoin whitepaper! Ethereum was created as an upgrade to Bitcoin, with the ability to create other blockchains (L2s) on top of it. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has been pushing hard for L2s to level up.
In a September 2024 X post, Buterin said he’ll only hype L2s that hit Stage 1 or higher starting in 2025. Base heard the call and stepped up.
Stage 1 decentralization, according to Buterin’s rollup roadmap , is the middle step where anyone can trigger fault proofs and significant protocol changes must be signed off by a distributed group rather than a single authority.
L2Beat data shows that Base has joined nine others—out of 62 roll ups tracked—to reach at least this level of decentralization.
By moving into Stage 1, Base shifts away from a single-operator model, cutting down on points of failure in transaction validation and upgrade governance.
The team says this milestone boosts reliability for developers, strengthens network resilience, and invites a wider array of participants to help secure the chain.
This step is a massive win for security and trust, giving developers confidence to build on Base without worrying about sudden rule changes.
Why should you care?
Decentralization is the backbone of blockchain. It ensures no one can mess with your transactions or hold your funds hostage.
For L2s, moving away from centralized sequencers reduces risks like censorship or hacks. It’s like upgrading from a single lock on your door to a full-on security system.
Plus, decentralized L2s are more attractive to developers building dApps and users who want fast, cheap, and secure transactions.
Base’s Stage 1 milestone means it’s halfway to the finish line, and the crypto community is already eyeing the next step.
The Base Token Hype Train
Why are people so hyped ? It all comes down to Stage 2. To hit this stage, Base needs to open up transaction sequencing to third parties, according to Vitalik’s framework.
These sequencers will need rewards for their work—processing and ordering transactions. Paying them in ETH or stablecoins might not be enough to attract a crowd, especially when other blockchains offer their own tokens.
A native Base token would align incentives and simplify governance while energizing the community. By offering sequencers token rewards, Base would attract a diverse and motivated set of validators, ensuring smoother transaction ordering and stronger network security.
Source: X
Token-based voting would replace cumbersome multisig approvals, making decisions—such as assigning sequencer roles or rolling out protocol upgrades—more efficient and transparent.
And of course, a token launch comes with the excitement of an airdrop, a proven way to rally crypto enthusiasts, boost adoption, and keep Base at the center of the conversation.
No token is confirmed yet, but the logic is hard to ignore. Stage 2’s open sequencing model practically screams for a token to keep things running smoothly.
