Base Completes 1 Billion Transactions Since Launch in August 2023
Base, Coinbase's Ethereum (ETH) Layer-2 network, achieved 1 billion transactions since its launch in August 2023. This milestone occurred in just over a year, contrasting with Bitcoin's over 15 years to reach similar figures. The announcement on November 15 emphasized Base's rapid growth as one of the fastest Ethereum Layer-2 solutions, fueled by Coinbase's branding and resources. Base is now reported as the second most popular blockchain in 2024, surpassing competitors like Optimism and Arbitrum, with interest increasing ninefold compared to its closest rival.
To celebrate the milestone, Base released a commemorative NFT, which led to accusations of plagiarism from digital artist Chris Biron. He claimed that the artwork resembled his own without proper credit and noted that Base had earned over $36,000 from NFT sales at the time of his complaint. Biron highlighted the contrast between Base’s corporate stature and the lack of acknowledgment for his work.
In response to the allegations, Jesse Pollak, Base's lead developer, issued a public apology, recognizing the unintentional similarity to Biron's design. Base committed to donating all proceeds from the NFT sales to Biron and vowed to improve its processes to avoid future issues. The network stated, "Creativity often draws from shared inspiration. While designing this piece, we unintentionally reflected another artist’s work without proper attribution. We’re sorry and will send 100% of the proceeds to Biron."
Biron expressed gratitude for Base’s handling of the situation, calling their response a “class act.”
Despite the controversy, Base’s achievement of 1 billion transactions highlights its significant role in the crypto ecosystem, continuing to draw attention as a leading player among Ethereum Layer-2 networks.