Base’s New Stack: More Unification, Less Confusion

by

Key Highlights (aka Why Your Node Will Cry Tomorrow)

  • Base is ditching the OP Stack like it’s a toxic ex. Now it’s all about the sleek, unified base/base system. Because nothing says “I’ve got this” like a single, manageable codebase.
  • Node operators, prepare for a rollercoaster of updates and existential dread. No more following Optimism’s whims-just Base’s relentless march toward… whatever this is.
  • Node operators, prepare for a rollercoaster of updates and existential dread. No more following Optimism’s whims-just Base’s relentless march toward… whatever this is.

Base, the Layer-2 blockchain incubated by Coinbase for Ethereum, announced it’s dumping the OP Stack and other tools from partners like Flashbots and Paradigm. Because why trust others when you can complicate things yourself?

Instead, the network will use a single, unified system called base/base. Because nothing says “security” like a name that sounds like a tech bro’s LinkedIn headline. The change is designed to make upgrades faster, strengthen security, and make the network easier to maintain. Or, as we like to call it, “the next phase of chaos.”

A new, unified stack for Base Chain

Excited to share that we are evolving our technical roadmap, consisting of our own spec, code, and infra to accelerate the foundation of Base. This shift gives us the autonomy to ship protocol improvements more frequently and focus our…

– wilson.base.eth (@WilsonCusack) February 18, 2026

According to the official announcement, this transition will affect node operators, who will need to follow new Base client releases instead of Optimism’s software to stay compatible with upcoming hard forks. Because nothing says “community” like forcing everyone to keep up with your increasingly convoluted updates.

Simplifying the software stack (aka Making a Mess of Things)

The Base team explained that its current system has code spread across many teams and different repositories, which makes it harder to manage. The Base team explained that its current system has code spread across many teams and different repositories, which makes it harder to manage. Because who needs clarity when you can have a labyrinth of repositories?

“Today, the code operating various components of Base, such as the sequencer, is owned by multiple teams and spread across multiple repositories, which adds coordination and maintenance overhead,” the team said. Because nothing says “efficiency” like a team of developers arguing over who owns which line of code.

The new system will combine everything into one place and use open-source tools like Reth. This will make the network easier to update and allow the developers to focus on what Base specifically needs. The team added, “This unification does not mean Base will be built in isolation. The protocol remains public and specified in the open, and alternative implementations are welcome and encouraged.” Or, as we like to call it, “we’re still open to chaos, just our version of it.”

Base also announced governance changes as part of this update. Optimism’s role on the Security Council will be replaced by an additional independent signer. Because who needs stability when you can have more bureaucracy?

Base emphasized that the change will not compromise security, stating it is committed to maintaining the highest standards for rollup safety while allowing the system to scale more effectively. Or, as we like to call it, “we’re still trying to figure out what ‘safe’ means.”

Changes in governance and security (aka More Signers, Less Clarity)

As part of the transition, Base announced that Optimism’s spot on the security council will be replaced by an additional independent signer. The network will still be a Stage 1 decentralized rollup, following Vitalik Buterin’s guidelines for Layer-2 decentralization. Because nothing says “decentralized” like a checklist from a guy who once tweeted about “web3.”

Base said this move will not lower security. Instead, it will help the network grow while keeping it safe and decentralized. Or, as we like to call it, “we’re confident in our ability to fail spectacularly.”

Upcoming hard forks and upgrades (aka The Next Phase of Confusion)

Base outlined some upgrades for the coming months. According to the team, the V1 hard fork will add Fusaka support and switch from Optimistic proofs to Base-specific TEE and zero-knowledge proofs, which makes transactions faster and more secure. Or, as we like to call it, “we’re replacing one set of acronyms with another.”

In addition, two more hard forks will reduce Base’s reliance on Optimism. The V3 hard fork will line up with Ethereum’s Glamsterdam upgrade. Node operators will need to use the new Base client for future updates, but old RPCs, including those in the optimism namespace, will still work, so apps do not break. Because nothing says “user-friendly” like keeping legacy systems alive just to avoid a tantrum.

The team said the main goal is to make Base faster and simpler. The unified system will allow smaller, more frequent updates, and developers can work more easily without dealing with many outside tools. Or, as we like to call it, “we’re finally admitting we’ve been using too many tools.”

Base will still work with Optimism as an OP Enterprise client during the transition, and users and developers should not notice changes in how they use the network. Because nothing says “seamless” like a bunch of developers muttering about “just don’t break anything this time.”

Read More

2026-02-19 00:02