Base Breaks From OP Stack With New Unified Architecture
Coinbase’s Layer-2 network Base is charting a new path. On February 18, 2026, the team confirmed it will transition away from the Optimism OP Stack and migrate to a proprietary “unified stack” - a move designed to bring core infrastructure under one roof and speed up development.
- Base is leaving the Optimism OP Stack and moving to its own unified, self-managed tech stack.
- The shift aims to speed up upgrades and give Base full control over its roadmap and sequencer revenue.
- Governance changes and hard forks are planned as part of a broader push toward deeper decentralization.
The decision marks one of the most significant structural shifts for Base since launch. Instead of relying on shared infrastructure maintained by external contributors, the network will consolidate its core codebase into a single self-managed repository, aiming for tighter coordination and greater technical independence.
Core Infrastructure Moves In-House
Under the new model, Base will migrate essential components – including the sequencer – into a consolidated GitHub repository known as base/base. By reducing reliance on outside contributors such as Optimism, Flashbots, and Paradigm, the network expects to gain full control over its upgrade cycle and roadmap.
The goal is simple: move faster. Base estimates that eliminating coordination bottlenecks between separate developer groups could double the pace of major upgrades to roughly six per year.
Governance Reset And Push Toward Stage 2
The overhaul also affects governance. Base is restructuring its Security Council, replacing seats tied to Optimism with independent signers. The intent is to prevent any single external entity from maintaining outsized influence over network decisions.
Currently classified as a Stage 1 rollup, Base says the unified architecture will help accelerate progress toward Stage 2 decentralization. Planned improvements include faster withdrawals through multi-proof systems and the development of Base-specific governance mechanisms.
Despite consolidating its internal stack, the protocol will remain open-source. The team is encouraging third-party developers to build independent clients that comply with Base’s specifications, preserving client diversity while shifting operational control in-house.
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Hard Forks And Node Migration Ahead
The transition will unfold in phases. The first stage – already underway – focuses on adopting the unified software architecture and consolidating repositories.
Node operators will need to migrate to the new Base client to remain compatible with future updates. A sequence of three hard forks is planned, including Base V1, with the final update expected to align with Ethereum’s upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade in early 2026.
Market Reaction Hits Optimism Token
The announcement had an immediate market impact. The Optimism (OP) token fell roughly 7% following the news, reflecting concerns over Base’s reduced role within the OP Stack’s Superchain ecosystem.
Beyond the technical separation, the move also alters financial dynamics. Under a 2023 agreement, Base shared a portion of sequencer revenue with the Optimism Collective. As it shifts toward becoming an “OP Enterprise” client rather than a core OP Stack participant, Base may retain more of that revenue internally.
For Optimism holders, that change raises questions about long-term fee flows. For Base, however, the message is clear: tighter control, faster iteration, and a stronger push toward full-stack autonomy in the Ethereum scaling race.
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Alex is an experienced financial journalist and cryptocurrency enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain, and fintech industries, he is well-versed in the complex and ever-evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and in-depth content. Follow his publications to stay up to date with the most important trends and topics.
