Base has put Azul live on testnet, its first independent network upgrade. The company confirmed the mainnet switch is set for May 13, 2026. The update targets three pain points simultaneously: tighter security, higher throughput, and simpler development rules.
Multiproofs: TEE and ZK Join Forces
The biggest change is multiproofs, a system using both TEE (Trusted Execution Environment) and ZK (zero-knowledge) provers. Base stated either proof type can finalize a proposal alone. When both match, withdrawal finality can drop to as little as one day. Critically, permissionless ZK proofs can override permissioned TEE proofs if the two conflict. This design aligns with Vitalik Buterin's roadmap for safer Layer 2 finality, requiring an attacker to break more than one system to push through a fraudulent withdrawal.
Client Consolidation: Empty Blocks Slashed from 200 to 2
Azul narrows the platform to one main client stack: base-reth-node as the sole execution client and base-consensus (built on Kona) as the consensus client. Base reported the work already cut empty blocks from roughly 200 per day to about 2. The chain sustained several bursts of 5,000 transactions per second. Historical sync times improved, and client releases moved to a two-week cycle.
Audits and Bug Bounty: Last Safety Net Before Mainnet
Base said every onchain component and proof system in Azul underwent internal and external audits. An Immunefi audit contest runs from April 21 to May 4, with a maximum critical reward pool of $250,000. The goal is to reduce rollout risk before mainnet.
The upgrade did not claim a direct price move. Still, crypto markets often watch plumbing upgrades closely. Faster withdrawals, fewer empty blocks, and stronger proofs can shape where users move activity. Azul's mainnet performance will offer concrete data on whether chains that pair speed with stronger security can attract more onchain activity.