Coinbase's Ethereum Layer-2 Network Base Experiences First Major Outage Since Launch

Introduction

Coinbase's Ethereum layer-2 network, Base, encountered a significant outage for the first time since its public launch on August 9.

Outage Details

The Base chain experienced a block production halt for approximately 45 minutes on September 5. The developers identified the issue at 9:36 pm UTC, labeling it as "stalled" block production according to the Base status site.

Following the identification of the problem, Coinbase stated that the delay in block production was due to a refresh requirement in their internal infrastructure. The team quickly implemented a fix, resulting in a widespread recovery of block production.

Base developers have successfully identified and resolved the cause of the outage, ensuring that the network is now back in operation. They continue to monitor the chain for any further issues.

Ethereum Layer-2 Networks Compared

Matt Willemsen, head of research at the crypto education platform Collective Shift, pointed out that Ethereum's Layer 2 networks, including Base, are not as "battle tested" as Ethereum's mainnet. This outage serves as a reminder that using Layer 2 networks may differ from using the Ethereum mainnet.

Conclusion

Despite experiencing its first major outage, Coinbase's Base network promptly resolved the issue and resumed block production. The incident highlights the need for further testing and development of Ethereum Layer 2 networks to enhance their reliability and stability.