Base, the layer-2 network from Coinbase (COIN), is doubling down on its push to build what it calls a “global onchain economy,” outlining a 2026 strategy centered on markets, payments and developers.
Base is one of the most widely used layer-2 networks in the Ethereum ecosystem, having opened to public use in August 2023. It was initially built using Optimism’s OP Stack as part of the broader “Superchain” ecosystem, though 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, in-house code.
Layer-2 blockchains are built on top of Ethereum and aim to increase speed and lower 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 moving activity entirely 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.
For 2026, Base said it will focus on three areas: expanding onchain markets, scaling stablecoin-based payments and growing its developer ecosystem — a push that comes as onchain trading venues and stablecoins see rising adoption among institutional players.
On markets, the network plans to build infrastructure to support tokenized versions of assets such as equities and commodities, alongside existing crypto-native markets like perpetuals and predictions. It also aims to improve settlement speeds and reduce costs, while positioning its Base App as a venue for trading a wide range of assets.
On payments, Base is prioritizing stablecoins, with planned upgrades including privacy features, stablecoin-based transaction fees and additional tooling for payments. The company also said it intends to expand liquidity for stablecoins tied to different currencies and integrate more financial features into its app, such as savings and borrowing.
As for developers, Base said it will continue investing in programs like Base Batches and new tooling, including support for AI-driven applications interacting with onchain 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 falls after Base moves away from the network's 'OP stack' in major tech shift
