Base, the Ethereum Layer-2 network, is set to activate its Beryl upgrade on June 25, introducing a native token standard and reducing withdrawal times to Ethereum. The update cuts the default withdrawal delay from seven days to five and adds a new built-in token model called B20.
The changes mark a continued push to improve transaction efficiency and expand the network’s appeal for stablecoins and real-world asset issuance.
B20 tokens move issuance into the protocol
The headline feature in Beryl is the B20 standard, which allows tokens to be issued directly within Base’s node software rather than through smart contracts. The standard follows the ERC-20 specification and integrates ERC-2612 permit functionality, enabling approvals via signatures to simplify transfers.
Unlike traditional ERC-20 tokens that operate on the Ethereum Virtual Machine, B20 tokens are implemented as precompiled contracts written in Rust. This allows token logic to run natively within the network, reducing onchain complexity while improving speed and cost efficiency.
Built-in controls target stablecoins and regulated assets
Beryl also introduces an issuer toolkit designed to support more complex token management. Features include role-based permissions, minting and burning capabilities, and the ability to freeze or seize assets.
Two versions of the toolkit will be available at launch, covering general-purpose tokens and stablecoins. Future updates are expected to allow gas fees to be paid using B20 tokens, further integrating them into the network’s economy.
These features position Base to attract issuers that require compliance controls, particularly in regulated financial environments.
Withdrawal times shortened as efficiency improves
The reduction in withdrawal time builds on earlier improvements from the Azul upgrade released in May. That upgrade introduced Multiproofs, a system that can reduce some withdrawals to as little as one day when both trusted execution and zero-knowledge proofs are used.
Beryl focuses on improving the standard single-proof withdrawal process, which is slower but more widely used. The original delay was designed to allow time for dispute resolution, but updates to fault-proof systems have made it possible to safely shorten the waiting period.
The change improves capital efficiency by reducing the time assets remain locked when moving from Layer-2 back to Ethereum.
Performance gains with Reth V2
The upgrade also includes Reth V2, a new version of Base’s Rust-based execution client. It is designed to reduce disk usage while enabling higher block gas limits, increasing overall network capacity.
These improvements are expected to enhance stability and support more demanding applications without significantly raising operational costs for node operators.
Faster upgrade cadence signals broader strategy
Beryl arrives just four weeks after the Azul upgrade, reflecting a faster development cycle since Base moved to its own independent technology stack earlier this year. The next upgrade, Cobalt, is scheduled for September and is expected to introduce account abstraction along with further enhancements to the B20 system.
The rapid rollout of upgrades highlights Base’s effort to strengthen its position in the competitive Layer-2 market, where performance, scalability, and asset support remain key differentiators for traders.
Explore how Ethereum’s scaling evolves in our guide to Layer-2 blockchain networks and what it means for future onchain upgrades.
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