Base, Coinbase’s Layer 2 network (COIN), is doubling down on its efforts to build what it calls a “global on-chain economy,” outlining a 2026 strategy focused on marketplaces, payments and developers.
Base is one of the most widely used Layer 2 networks in the Ethereum ecosystem, opening for public use in August 2023. It was initially built using Optimism’s OP stack as part of the broader “Superchain” ecosystem, although the project has since reported plans to differentiate its infrastructure as it evolves. In February, the Coinbase team said the chain would increasingly rely on its own internal code.
Layer 2 blockchains are built on Ethereum and aim to increase speed and reduce costs by processing the transactions themselves, while relying on Ethereum for security. The model has become a key part of Ethereum’s scaling strategy, enabling cheaper and faster transactions without moving activity off the network completely. More recently, however, some Ethereum executives, including co-founder Vitalik Buterin, have signaled a shift in focus toward scaling the base layer itself, leaving open questions about how Layer 2 networks will fit into Ethereum’s evolutionary roadmap.
For 2026, Base said it will focus on three areas: expanding on-chain marketplaces, increasing stablecoin-based payments, and growing its developer ecosystem – a push that comes as on-chain trading platforms and stablecoins see increasing adoption among institutional players.
In the markets, the network plans to build infrastructure to support tokenized versions of assets such as stocks and commodities, alongside existing crypto-native markets like perpetuals and predictions. It also aims to improve settlement speeds and reduce costs, while positioning its Base app as a place to trade a wide range of assets.
When it comes to payments, Base prioritizes stablecoins, with planned upgrades including privacy features, stablecoin-based transaction fees, and additional tools for payments. The company also announced plans to increase the liquidity of stablecoins linked to different currencies and integrate more financial features into its app, such as saving and borrowing.
As for developers, Base said it will continue to invest in programs like Base Batches and new tools, including support for AI-based applications interacting with on-chain markets. The company announced plans to introduce new standards and incentive systems aimed at increasing user activity and trading volume.
Read more: Optimism’s OP token falls after Base moves away from network’s ‘OP stack’ in major tech shift
