Base is a Layer-2 (L2) chain built on top of Ethereum, using the OP Stack (the same modular stack used by Optimism) to offer faster and cheaper transactions while still leveraging Ethereum’s security. It’s designed to make it easier for developers to launch dApps, and for users to interact on-chain with low fees.

Base is no longer just an “upstart L2” — it’s trying to step into the realm of global infrastructure. The moves today (token exploration, local stablecoins, usage spikes) tell the story of a project trying to transition from builder curiosity to mass scale.

If things go its way, Base could play a central role in enabling more everyday use of Web3 in emerging markets, facilitating cross-border payments, local token economies, and bridging traditional finance with blockchain rails.

But it also must navigate a host of technical, economic, and governance challenges — balancing speed, cost, decentralization, and inclusion. The next few quarters will be pivotal.