Base has switched on its Azul upgrade on Ethereum mainnet, rolling out a new multiproof security model and a rebuilt client stack that push the layer-2 network toward greater decentralization and technical independence.
The release is Base’s first major upgrade since it split from Optimism’s Superchain, and is designed to shorten withdrawal times, boost throughput, and reduce waste on the network. Early metrics show empty blocks have dropped by about 99%, while the system has handled bursts of up to 5,000 transactions per second.
Multiproof system aims to speed finality and harden security
At the center of Azul is a multiproof design that combines trusted execution environment (TEE) proofs with zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs.
- Both proof systems can finalize proposals independently.
- When they agree, withdrawals back to Ethereum could shrink from roughly a week to as little as one day.
- In case of conflict, ZK proofs can override permissioned TEE proofs, giving a non-permissioned, cryptographic mechanism the final say.
This dual-path validation is intended to reduce reliance on any single trust model and strengthen protection against failures or malicious behavior, while also accelerating the moment when transactions are considered irreversible.
New client stack consolidates execution and upgrades consensus
Azul also restructures the network’s core software:
- Execution: Base now runs a single execution client, called
base-reth-node, consolidating what was previously a more fragmented setup. - Consensus: A new consensus client,
base-consensus, is introduced, built on the OP Kona framework.
This streamlined architecture has sharply reduced the number of empty, unproductive blocks from nearly 200 per day to around two. The new stack is already demonstrating high performance during peak activity, sustaining bursts of up to 5,000 transactions per second.
Protocol changes: CLZ opcode and Osaka repricing
On the protocol side, Azul introduces:
- A new CLZ opcode.
- Integration of Ethereum’s Osaka execution-layer repricing specifications.
These changes are billed as backward-friendly, with no major modifications required for most existing applications. The repricing aims to better align gas costs with actual resource usage, without disrupting typical smart contract behavior.
Mandatory client migration for node operators
Node operators currently running legacy clients such as op-node, op-geth, nethermind, or kona will need to migrate to the new Azul-compatible stack.
The project has directed operators to follow the latest technical documentation to ensure continuity of service and compatibility with the upgraded consensus and execution layers. In the near term, much of the operational focus is expected to rest on monitoring the stability, performance, and security behavior of the new clients under real-world load.
Network metrics: TVL, stablecoins, and trading activity
The upgrade lands amid rapid growth in on-chain activity and capital flows:
- As of late May, the network reported:
- Around $4.4 billion in total value locked (TVL) and roughly $4.98 billion in stablecoin market cap.
- A leading role in USDC liquidity among optimistic rollups.
- More recent figures around the Azul activation show:
- Over $13 billion in bridged assets on the network.
- Approximately $4.5 billion of that locked in decentralized finance protocols.
- Daily decentralized exchange volume near $655 million, suggesting active trading and usage beyond simple asset parking.
Faster and more predictable withdrawal times are expected to improve capital efficiency, potentially reshaping liquidity patterns as funds no longer need to remain locked for a full week when exiting to Ethereum mainnet.
Decentralization and independence from the Superchain
Azul is being framed by Base as a structural overhaul rather than a minor optimization. By:
- Implementing its own consensus and execution stack, and
- Relying on a multiproof security architecture that can operate independently,
the network moves further away from shared Superchain infrastructure and toward a more self-reliant model. This shift is geared toward enhancing security, resilience, and operational autonomy while keeping compatibility with the broader Ethereum ecosystem.
Roadmap: performance, UX, and account abstraction in 2026
Base has outlined additional upgrades planned for the second half of 2026:
- By June 2026: further performance enhancements, likely aimed at scaling throughput and lowering latency under heavy load.
- By August 2026: user experience improvements, which may focus on smoother onboarding, simpler bridging, and more intuitive interaction flows.
- Later in 2026: support for native account abstraction, a feature that could simplify wallets, enable more flexible transaction signing, and lower the barrier to entry for new users.
Audit and testing prior to mainnet launch
Before going live on mainnet, Azul underwent:
- A testnet deployment in April.
- An open audit competition with bounties of up to $250,000 for critical vulnerabilities.
These steps were aimed at surfacing implementation flaws and stress-testing the new multiproof and client architecture ahead of full-scale production use.
Market focus in the coming weeks
In the short term, market observers are expected to concentrate on:
- The reliability of the new
base-reth-nodeandbase-consensusclients. - How well the multiproof system performs under real-world contention or edge cases.
- Shifts in capital flows, particularly in stablecoins, given the network’s nearly $5 billion stablecoin market capitalization and its status as a major hub for USDC liquidity.
Sustained improvements in throughput, lower empty-block rates, and faster finality could encourage more application deployment, which, if successful, may feed back into higher user activity and transaction volume across the network.
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