Base, Coinbase’s Layer 2 Network (COIN), is redoubling its efforts to build what it calls a “global on-chain economy,” outlining a 2026 strategy focused on marketplaces, payments and developers.
Base is one of the most widely used Layer 2 networks in the Ethereum ecosystem, opening to public use in August 2023. It was initially built using Optimism’s OP Stack as part of the broader “Superchain” ecosystem, although the project has since signaled plans to differentiate its infrastructure as it scales. In February, the Coinbase team said the chain will increasingly rely on its own internal code.
Layer 2 blockchains are built on top of Ethereum and aim to increase speed and reduce costs by processing transactions themselves, while still relying on Ethereum for security. The model has become a key part of Ethereum’s scaling strategy, enabling cheaper and faster transactions without taking activity completely off the network. More recently, however, some Ethereum leaders, including co-founder Vitalik Buterin, have signaled a shift in focus toward scaling the base layer itself, leaving open questions about how Layer 2 networks will fit into Ethereum’s evolving roadmap.
By 2026, Base said it will focus on three areas: expanding on-chain marketplaces, scaling stablecoin-based payments, and growing its developer ecosystem, a push that comes as on-chain trading venues and stablecoins see growing adoption among institutional players.
In markets, the network plans to build infrastructure to support tokenized versions of assets such as stocks and commodities, alongside existing crypto-native markets such as perpetuals and predictions. It also aims to improve settlement speeds and reduce costs, while positioning its Base app as a place to trade a wide range of assets.
As for payments, Base is prioritizing stablecoins, with planned updates including privacy features, stablecoin-based transaction fees, and additional tools for payments. The company also said it intends to expand the liquidity of stablecoins pegged to different currencies and integrate more financial features into its app, such as savings and loans.
As for developers, Base said it will continue to invest in programs like Base Batches and new tools, including support for AI-powered applications that interact with on-chain markets. The company said it plans to introduce new standards and incentive systems aimed at increasing user activity and transaction volume.
Read more: Optimism’s OP token drops after Base moves away from network’s ‘OP stack’ in major tech shift
