Base is an Ethereum layer 2 network incubated by Coinbase and launched to the public in August 2023. It is built on the OP Stack, the open-source framework behind Optimism, which makes it an optimistic rollup: transactions run on Base and their data is posted to Ethereum.
Key facts
| Item | Base |
|---|---|
| Type | Optimistic rollup on Ethereum (OP Stack) |
| Gas token | ETH |
| Native token | None |
| Chain ID | 8453 |
| Address format | Same as Ethereum (0x…) |
Fees on Base
Base fees are paid in ETH and are typically far lower than on Ethereum mainnet, because many transactions share the cost of publishing data to Ethereum. You need a small amount of ETH on Base — not on Ethereum — to send anything, including USDC.
USDC on Base
USDC is issued natively on Base by Circle, so it can be redeemed through Circle's systems like USDC on Ethereum. In Base's early months, a bridged version called USDbC was common; the native token is now the standard. If your wallet shows both, they are different tokens with different contract addresses.
Same address, separate balance
Your Ethereum address works on Base, but balances are independent. USDC you hold on Ethereum is not visible on Base until it is moved there. Add the Base network in your wallet, or switch to it, to see what you hold.
How to get funds onto Base
- Withdraw from an exchange on Base. Many exchanges, including Coinbase, offer Base as a withdrawal network. Pick it explicitly.
- Bridge from Ethereum. The official bridge deposits usually arrive in minutes; withdrawals back to Ethereum take about a week due to the challenge period.
- Swap across networks. For example, send USDC on Ethereum and receive USDC on Base, or send ETH and receive ETH on another layer 2. The form at the top of this page is preset to USDC on Ethereum → USDC on Base.
Sending from Base safely
- Check that the receiver supports Base. An exchange that only lists "ERC20" may not credit deposits sent on Base.
- Make sure you are sending native USDC, not a bridged variant, unless the receiver says otherwise.
- Keep a little ETH on Base for gas.
- Track transactions on BaseScan, Base's block explorer.
Is Base safe?
Base publishes its data to Ethereum, which allows independent verification of its state. Like other rollups, it also relies on components such as a sequencer and upgradeable contracts that carry their own risks. Coinbase incubates Base but it is a separate network, and funds on Base are held in your own wallet, not in a Coinbase account, unless you deposit them there.
Base vs Arbitrum
Both are optimistic rollups on Ethereum with ETH as gas and the same address format. Arbitrum has its own governance token (ARB); Base has none. The practical choice usually comes down to where the apps and services you use are deployed.
Related: USDC vs USDT, ETH to USDC.
What people use Base for
Base runs the same smart contracts as Ethereum, so it hosts decentralised exchanges, lending apps, payments, games and social applications. Its close link with Coinbase makes it a common on-ramp: users can withdraw from Coinbase directly to Base and pay low fees from there. For simple transfers of USDC or ETH, it offers fast confirmations — usually a couple of seconds — at a fraction of the cost of Ethereum mainnet.
The Superchain
Because Base uses the OP Stack, it is part of what Optimism calls the Superchain: a group of chains built on the same open-source software and sharing upgrades and standards. Base, OP Mainnet and others in that group are still separate networks with separate balances. Sending USDC on Base to a service that only supports OP Mainnet can still go wrong, so match networks exactly.
Adding Base to your wallet
Most popular wallets list Base as a built-in network. If yours does not, add it using the network details published in Base's official documentation (chain ID 8453). Avoid adding networks from links shared in chats or ads, because a malicious RPC endpoint can show you false information.
Frequently asked questions
Does Base have its own token?
No. Base has no native token; fees are paid in ETH.
Is Base the same as Coinbase?
No. Base is a public blockchain incubated by Coinbase. Funds on Base sit in your own wallet unless you deposit them to a Coinbase account.
Can I send USDC from Base to an Ethereum address?
The address is the same, but the funds stay on Base. To have them on Ethereum, they must be bridged or swapped across networks.
What is USDbC?
A bridged version of USDC used on Base before native USDC launched. It is a different token from native USDC.