Base Deploys Its Azul Upgrade on Mainnet

Base's Azul upgrade activated on mainnet today, bringing multiproofs, a performance-focused client stack, and Ethereum Osaka spec alignment to Coinbase's L2.

What's the Scoop?

• Multiproofs: Azul introduces a layered security model, combining TEE + ZK provers that work independently. Efficiency kicks in when both align on the same outcome, which allows for same-day withdrawals. This architecture marks a big step toward Stage 2 decentralization and faster capital flows between Base and Ethereum.
• Performance gains: Over the past two months ahead of the upgrade, Base reduced empty blocks by ~99% and maintained multiple 5k TPS bursts. The consolidation onto a single execution client (base-reth-node), plus a new consensus client (base-consensus), sets the foundation for the team's longer-term target of 1 gigagas/s throughput.
• Ethereum alignment: Azul adopts the latest Ethereum Osaka execution-layer specs, including EIP-7825 (per-transaction gas cap), EIP-7939 (CLZ opcode), and several MODEXP repricing changes for consistency with mainnet and DoS mitigation.

Zooming Out

Next up, Base is targeting a performance-focused upgrade in late June (enshrined token standard, Flashblock Access Lists, reduced withdrawal times, etc.) and a UX-focused upgrade in late August shipping native account abstraction.

The Azul rollout also notably follows Base MCP, which launched Monday and lets AI agents connect to Base accounts to swap, trade, and manage portfolios via integrations with Morpho, Uniswap, Aerodrome, and beyond. Two substantial releases in almost as many days.