Coinbase's Layer 2 network Base marked a milestone with the Azul upgrade going live on mainnet — the first network upgrade built entirely by the Base team, not borrowed from another chain. The focus: speed, security, and developer experience. The core feature is Multiproof, a dual-lock security system combining TEE (Trusted Execution Environment) and ZK (zero-knowledge proof) to verify transactions.
How Multiproof Changes Withdrawals
When both proofs agree, withdrawals finalize in one day, compared to the previous week-long wait for Layer 2 to Ethereum mainnet transfers. If the proofs conflict, ZK overrides TEE — zero-knowledge proofs are the stricter, more trusted standard, putting security first. As the source states: "When both proofs agree, your withdrawal goes through in as little as one day — not a week."
Empty Blocks Nearly Eliminated
Empty blocks waste blockchain space and slow the network. Before Azul, Base had too many. The new client architecture cuts empty blocks by roughly 99% — a near-complete fix. Every block now carries real transactions, improving efficiency: lower wait times, cheaper fees, smoother DeFi trades. Base can sustain peak loads of 5,000 transactions per second, and the team says the architecture has handled multiple 5,000 TPS bursts. For a platform with $4.4 billion total value locked, such capacity is critical.
Coinbase Promotions: Signals and Expiry
Alongside the Azul launch, Coinbase ran limited-time offers ending May 31, 2026: 20% off the first year of Coinbase One, a share of $1 million in Bitcoin through a 14-day streak of trades ≥$25, a 3% transfer bonus on eligible inflows (36-month lock-up for full amount), and a 40% staking reward boost for Coinbase One members. Though expired, the timing — coinciding with Base's biggest upgrade — shows Coinbase's push to grow subscriptions, boost platform activity, and lock in long-term users.
Toward "Home of Global Finance" and Stage 2 Decentralization
Base calls Azul a step toward "the home of global finance." The $4.4B TVL and 99% empty block reduction are not marketing spin. The upgrade aligns with Ethereum's Osaka spec through multiple EIPs, keeping Base tightly coupled to its parent chain. Azul moves toward Stage 2 decentralization — where the network no longer relies on a central team to validate transactions. Multiproof is a key building block for that goal.