Base Launches Azul Mainnet Upgrade to Strengthen Ethereum Layer-2 Decentralization

Base has officially launched its Azul upgrade on mainnet, marking a major step in the Ethereum layer-2 network’s push toward greater decentralization and faster transaction processing. The upgrade is Base’s first standalone network update after moving away from Optimism’s Superchain framework.

Base Azul Upgrade Brings Faster Withdrawals and Better Security

A key feature of Azul is its new multiproof system, which combines trusted execution environment (TEE) proofs with zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs. According to the network team, this system can reduce withdrawal finality to as little as one day when both proof systems confirm the same transaction.

The design also strengthens decentralization. If permissioned TEE proofs conflict with permissionless ZK proofs, the ZK system can override them, helping improve censorship resistance across the network.

Base Improves Network Performance With New Client Stack

The Azul upgrade introduces a new execution client called base reth-node and a consensus client built on OP Kona. Base said the changes reduced empty blocks by nearly 99%, from about 200 daily to roughly two.

The network also reported handling bursts of up to 5,000 transactions per second while maintaining stable performance.

Base TVL and Future Ethereum Scaling Plans

Base currently holds nearly $4.4 billion in total value locked and around $4.98 billion in stablecoin market capitalization, making it one of Ethereum’s largest scaling networks. Two additional upgrades focused on performance and user experience are expected later this year.