Base launches Azul, its first major network upgrade, bringing multiproof security, faster withdrawals, and 5,000 TPS bursts to mainnet.
Layer 2 network Base is rolling out its first independent upgrade, called Azul.
The team announced the upgrade is live on testnet. Mainnet activation targets May 13, 2026. Azul brings stronger security, better performance, and a smoother developer experience to the network.
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Base Azul Brings Multiproof Security to the Network
Security sits at the center of the Azul upgrade.
Base confirmed that every onchain component and proof system went through both internal and external audits.
The team also launched an Immunefi audit competition running from April 21 to May 4. The reward pool reaches up to $250,000 for any critical vulnerabilities found.
Azul activates multiproof validation on Base. The system combines TEE and ZK provers into one proof layer. Either proof type can finalize a proposal independently.
When both agree, withdrawals can settle in as little as one day. Base described this as a major step toward Stage 2 decentralization.
The design follows Vitalik Buterin’s L2 finalization roadmap. An attacker would need to compromise multiple independent systems to affect fast withdrawals.
ZK proof posting is permissionless and can override TEE proofs if a contradiction appears. This adds an important layer of security depth to the network.
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Throughput Gains and Client Stack Changes Power Performance Push
Base has already recorded strong performance results ahead of the mainnet launch. The network reduced empty blocks by nearly 99%, dropping from around 200 per day to just 2.
The team also recorded multiple throughput bursts hitting 5,000 transactions per second. These results follow months of stack consolidation work.
Azul consolidates Base onto a single, performance-focused client stack. The base-reth-node becomes the sole execution client going forward. A new consensus client called base-consensus, built on Kona, replaces previous options.
Base noted it already delivers faster historical sync. Support for all other consensus and execution clients will be dropped with this upgrade.
The team plans to merge these two clients into a single binary called “base” in the coming months. This move aligns with Base’s broader goal of reaching 1 gigagas per second throughput.
Node operators will need to migrate to the new clients before mainnet activation.
— Base Build (@buildonbase) April 21, 2026
What the Base Azul Upgrade Means for Users and Developers
Regular users will not need to take any action ahead of the upgrade.
Base stated that withdrawals from Base to Ethereum will get faster as the multiproof system matures. The network simply becomes faster, safer, and cheaper to use after the upgrade activates.
Developers will see most applications require no changes.
However, teams that use MODEXP heavily or send very large transactions should review the spec changes before May 13. Base is also aligning with Ethereum’s latest execution-layer specs through Osaka adoption.
Looking ahead, Base shared plans for two more upgrades this year.
A performance-focused upgrade targets the end of June, covering features like a native token standard and reduced withdrawal times. A UX-focused upgrade targeting native account abstraction is planned for the end of August.
