Base, Coinbase‘s Ethereum (ETH) Layer-2 network, has reached an impressive milestone of 1 billion transactions just over a year after its launch in August 2023.
This achievement highlights Base’s rapid growth, surpassing networks like Bitcoin, which took over 15 years to hit similar transaction numbers.
Base now ranks as the second most popular blockchain of 2024, outperforming competitors such as Optimism and Arbitrum, and has seen interest surge ninefold compared to its closest rival.
However, the celebration was marred by controversy surrounding a commemorative NFT created for the milestone. Digital artist Chris Biron accused Base of plagiarizing his work for the NFT, pointing out that the network had already earned over $36,000 from sales. Biron criticized Base for its lack of acknowledgment, considering its corporate stature.
In response, Base’s lead developer Jesse Pollak issued a public apology, admitting the oversight and committing to donate 100% of the NFT proceeds to Biron.
Pollak emphasized that the design unintentionally mirrored Biron’s work and promised improved processes to prevent future incidents. Biron praised the team for their respectful and prompt handling of the issue.
Despite the setback, Base’s achievement of 1 billion transactions underscores its significant impact on the crypto ecosystem. Backed by Coinbase’s resources and branding, Base continues to solidify its dominance in the Ethereum Layer-2 landscape, cementing its position as a key player in the blockchain space.
