Network operators have scheduled a technical update that will adjust the base mainnet fee while also modifying block gas parameters on the Base blockchain.
Details of the Base mainnet update
On Thursday, December 18, between 19:00 and 20:00 UTC, the Base mainnet will undergo a planned configuration change. During this one-hour window, developers will modify both the minimum fee level and the block gas configuration to fine-tune performance and cost dynamics on the network.
As part of the update, the minimum base fee will rise from 200,000 wei to 500,000 wei. For a typical transaction, this fee currently represents an estimated cost of approximately $0.00015. However, the adjustment is designed to remain negligible for everyday users while improving robustness and predictability for on-chain activity.
Moreover, Base will also raise the gasLimit per block from 300,000,000 to 375,000,000 gas. This modification expands the theoretical maximum gas that can be processed in each block without fundamentally altering the user-facing experience for most transactions.
EIP-1559 elasticity and throughput effects
Alongside these changes, the network will see an EIP-1559 elasticity adjustment to 6. This elasticity parameter defines how much block size can vary around the target, influencing how quickly fees respond to demand. That said, the practical effect on transaction processing capacity is expected to remain limited.
Because of the higher gasLimit and updated elasticity, the average throughput target (gasTarget) will move only slightly. The target will increase from 60,000,000 to 62,500,000 gas per block, which represents a minor rise in effective capacity rather than a major scaling event.
Overall, this combination of minimum base fee and gas configuration updates is intended to fine-tune performance without introducing disruptive changes. The base mainnet fee move, together with the modest throughput adjustment, aims to keep costs stable while enhancing network efficiency under varying load conditions.
Scope and impact of the scheduled work
According to the announcement, this scheduled maintenance specifically affects the Mainnet transaction pool and client software. However, it is not described as a disruptive event, and no extended downtime window has been communicated at this stage.
The changes were disclosed shortly before implementation, with the notice stating: “Posted 30 minutes ago. Dec 16, 2025 – 18:51 UTC.” Moreover, stakeholders interacting with Base, including dApp teams and infrastructure providers, should review these parameter updates to ensure their tooling and monitoring thresholds remain aligned.
In summary, the December 18 Base mainnet configuration update will raise the minimum base fee, expand the gasLimit, and slightly lift the gasTarget while adjusting EIP-1559 elasticity, delivering incremental performance tuning with minimal expected impact on end users.
Source: https://en.cryptonomist.ch/2025/12/16/base-mainnet-fee-update/
