ChainCatcher reported that Base, the Layer 2 network under Coinbase, has officially announced that it is preparing to launch a major upgrade named Beryl. The central feature of the upgrade is the introduction of B20, a native token standard for Base, designed to provide more complete infrastructure support for the tokenization of assets on-chain.
B20 focuses on settlement speed, cost and structure
According to Base, the B20 standard brings three main improvements: faster settlement, lower transaction costs, and a structured settlement mechanism. These changes are positioned around the movement and settlement of tokenized assets on Base, giving applications built on the network a clearer technical standard and operating framework for asset tokenization.
Base said the Beryl upgrade will allow global financial assets to operate on Base as “programmable capital.” The network also stated that on-chain infrastructure can provide advantages including transparency, composability and liquidity for such assets. These points form the main rationale behind Base’s introduction of the B20 standard as part of the Beryl upgrade.
Base reiterates its open infrastructure role
Alongside the announcement of Beryl and B20, Base emphasized that it is positioned as neutral and open blockchain infrastructure. Products and features may be developed on top of Base by Coinbase or by third parties. In this framing, Base defines its role at the network and infrastructure layer rather than as the direct operator of every product built on it.
Base further stated that neither Coinbase nor Base itself acts as the issuer, investment adviser, broker or underwriter for any third-party asset or transaction. This clarification is tied to its description of Base as open infrastructure, while making clear that when third parties build products on Base, Coinbase and Base do not assume those specific financial roles.