Coinbase’s Base Network Unveils Major Scalability Upgrades to Rival Solana and Sui

Coinbase’s Layer 2 network, Base, is gearing up for a significant performance leap—one that could put it in direct competition with high-speed blockchains like Solana and Sui. In a May 24 post on X (formerly Twitter), Base lead Jesse Pollak laid out the network’s ambitious roadmap to improve speed, cut costs, and decentralize key infrastructure.

At the heart of the plan is a drive to slash transaction confirmation times to just 200 milliseconds while maintaining fees under $0.01—a user experience benchmark that could transform Base into one of the fastest and most cost-efficient Ethereum Layer 2 solutions. In the short term, Base is targeting 200 transactions per second, with a long-term vision of scaling to a staggering 1 million TPS (transactions per second).

Pollak also emphasized a shift toward greater decentralization. Base plans to move core components—like its state transition logic—onto Ethereum’s mainnet via smart contracts. This architectural change would empower independent developers and validators to directly contribute to the network's evolution, promoting transparency and resilience.

To support these upgrades, Base is rolling out Flashblocks, a system designed to enable nearly instant “preconfirmation blocks.” Currently being tested on a public testnet, Flashblocks are expected to go live on Base’s mainnet by summer 2025. The upgrade aims to offer users a faster and smoother experience, crucial for applications that demand real-time responsiveness.

In tandem, the network will expand its gas throughput. Base aims to double its current capacity to 50 million gas per second (Mgas/s) in Q2, then increase it fivefold to 250 Mgas/s by year-end. That’s a 100x leap from where the network started, reflecting just how aggressively Base is scaling.

Backed by Coinbase, Base already enjoys credibility and reach—but these planned enhancements could significantly boost its competitiveness in the Layer 2 ecosystem. If successful, they’ll position Base not just as a cheaper and faster option, but as a serious contender against top-performing chains like Solana and Sui.