Base has launched its Azul update on testnet, the first independent upgrade before the mainnet goes live on May 13.
Base, the Layer 2 solution backed by Coinbase, has rolled out the Azul update on its testnet, marking its first independent upgrade prior to the mainnet launch set for May 13.
Base Azul is now live on testnet — our inaugural independent network upgrade. Azul enhances security, performance, and developer ease.
More details here: https://t.co/Ls6bGGCxVP
— Base (@base) April 21, 2026
Key Features of Azul
The Azul update incorporates a multi-proof system that combines:
- Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) proofs;
- Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proofs.
This innovative system allows each proof type to finalize blocks independently, effectively reducing asset withdrawal times to one day, with ZK proofs taking precedence in case of discrepancies.
Furthermore, the update streamlines Base's infrastructure, transitioning to a unified client stack that includes:
- base-reth-node as the sole execution client;
- base-consensus, a new solution leveraging Kona to enhance performance and optimize operations.
Testing results have been promising, showing a 99% reduction in empty blocks—from 200 to just two daily—and the blockchain has successfully managed peak loads of 5,000 transactions per second (TPS).
Steps Toward Decentralization
Developers view Azul as a significant milestone in Base's journey toward greater decentralization, aligning it with the latest Osaka specifications activated in Ethereum's execution layer during the Fusaka hard fork.
Most existing applications will remain unchanged, with only a few node operators and developers needing to adjust for specialized features. Users will not need to take any actions until the Azul update is live on the mainnet.
Prior to the mainnet activation, Base is hosting an audit competition on the Immunefi platform, accepting applications until May 4, with a prize pool of $250,000 for uncovering critical vulnerabilities.
Looking Ahead
Base has plans for additional updates in the upcoming months. A performance upgrade is slated for the end of June, which will introduce an integrated token standard, Flashblock access lists, a unified binary client, and faster fund withdrawals.
In August, a user experience update featuring native account abstraction will be rolled out, and in mid-May, Base will unveil Vibenet, a public network for developers to test future features before they are deployed on the mainnet.
“Azul represents the first upgrade on a stack we fully control, initiating a sustainable rhythm of independent upgrades towards a global, free on-chain economy for the next billion users,” stated the Base team.
It's noteworthy that in February, Base transitioned from the Optimism stack to its own unified architecture.
