• Coinbase Base has open-sourced its code repositories to enhance transparency and community collaboration. They plan to share their smart contracts repositories on GitHub.
• This initiative allows developers to access the code that underpins Base’s various processes, including smart contracts and deployments, encouraging community involvement and feedback.

Base, the Coinbase-incubated Layer 2 network has recently open-sourced its code repositories in an attempt to boost transparency and further open this project to public contributions.

Base represents an Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) chain, providing a secure, cost-effective, and developer-friendly platform for on-chain development. It offers a straightforward path for decentralized applications to make use of Coinbase’s products and reach a broader audience.

Starting today, developers have access to the foundational code that powers various Base processes, encompassing contracts and other deployment functionalities. Speaking on the development, Base said:

“By sharing our work openly, we enable the community to track our progress and ensure that we’re living up to our commitments. This transparency also serves as a catalyst for collaboration, as it allows developers to tap into our knowledge base, building upon and refining what’s already in place. Further, it provides a channel for valuable community feedback, whether it’s about improving documentation or spotting an overlooked bug.”

The Ethereum Base Layer 2 network is developed in partnership with Optimism and is constructed upon the OP Stack framework. Base has integrated as a Core Developer within the open-source OP Stack initiative, and the decision to open-source Base’s contracts and front end underscores their dedication to creating technology that is accessible to all.

Base Brings Transparency to Smart Contracts

The core Base team is enhancing developer transparency by open-sourcing its smart contract repositories, making all contracts and scripts publicly available on GitHub. This move provides insights into various on-chain operations, from contract deployments to upgrades. Open-sourcing aligns with the crypto industry’s principles, promoting transparency, community-based auditing, and faster vulnerability fixes. However, it may also introduce potential risks from malicious actors.

To further encourage developer involvement, the project offers a bounty payout of up to $1,000,000 for bug discoveries through the Coinbase HackerOne bounty program. Additionally, Base has open-sourced its web properties, such as base.org, docs.base.org, and bridge.base.org, fostering transparency and inviting developers to contribute and provide feedback. This open approach allows developers to explore the code related to Base’s deposit and withdrawal processes, offering a template for those interested in building similar functionalities.

Base Focuses Towards Complete Decentralization

Earlier this year, Base affirmed its dedication to decentralization through the Superchain, which aligns with Optimism’s vision of establishing a network of multiple Layer 2 blockchains. Base’s long-term plan involves full decentralization, incorporating fault proofs and diverse client software to ensure network censorship resistance. However, no specific timeline has been set for this transition.

The project also aims to participate in forming a “security council” for the Superchain, focusing on enhancing security and decentralization across Base, Optimism, and associated chains. Raghuvanshi emphasized that Base remains committed to decentralization and the advancement of the OP Stack, recognizing its critical role in both Base’s success and Ethereum’s scalability.

Achieving higher degrees of decentralization on Layer 2s necessitates the maturation of technical improvements, requiring collaboration across various stakeholders. Base’s dedication extends to the open-source community, as it plans to contribute to projects like the OP Stack and introduce enhanced open-source tools to support the ecosystem’s growth.