During the Devconnect ARG event, Lefteris Karapetsas, founder of rotki, revealed that Etherscan has stopped offering free API access for Base, Optimism, and BNB Chain. The move has ignited discussions about sustainable funding models for blockchain infrastructure.
Etherscan: Free API Still Active, but Coverage Reduced
Etherscan confirmed that its free API service continues to operate, but due to insufficient financial support from these ecosystems, the chain ID coverage has been reduced to 90%. The company noted that most foundations still contribute to operations, but Base, Optimism, and BNB Chain's free tiers could no longer be sustained.
Community Calls for Shared Responsibility from Well-Funded L2s
Karapetsas argued that Base (Coinbase's L2), Optimism (a key OP Stack chain), and BNB Chain (Binance's ecosystem) have ample resources to fund essential blockchain explorer services. He urged these networks to share the financial burden with Etherscan rather than leaving it to a single entity.
Etherscan's API is a critical piece of infrastructure for countless DeFi protocols, wallets, and data providers. The removal of free access may force smaller developers to pay for queries or migrate to alternative explorers, potentially slowing down development on these chains.
Market Reactions: Tokens Trade Flat, Future Implications Under Watch
Token prices showed minimal movement: BASE fell 0.19%, BNB edged up 0.07%, and OP gained 2.24%. While markets remain calm, industry observers warn that if more chains follow suit, the commercialization of blockchain explorers could accelerate.
This incident highlights the sustainability challenge facing public blockchain infrastructure. Etherscan, as the primary gateway to Ethereum's ecosystem, has long relied on donations and limited paid plans. With the proliferation of L2s, the free model is under pressure. Etherscan may need to adjust its strategy, while individual chains should establish dedicated funds to ensure open access to critical tools.