Base launches Azul testnet with multiproofs

Base, the Coinbase-incubated Ethereum layer-2 network, has launched the Azul testnet upgrade. The update adds multiproofs, allowing multiple independent proof generators to produce and submit validity proofs for rollup batches.

Base runs on the OP Stack. The Azul upgrade enables more than one validity proof per rollup block or batch. Different providers can prove different portions of state or transactions in parallel.

According to Base, the design shortens proof times, increases redundancy and broadens the set of entities that can validate the chain's state.

On the testnet, node operators and prover teams can run updated client software and test submitting multiproofs. Developers can observe proof aggregation behavior, measure performance under load and identify integration issues before the functionality reaches production.

The upgrade requires wallet and infrastructure teams to adapt verification and monitoring tools to accept multiple proof objects for the same rollup block.

Validity proofs are the cryptographic guarantees that off-chain computation matches on-chain state. Many rollups have historically relied on a small number of prover operators, creating a bottleneck and concentration of trust. Base intends to distribute that responsibility through multiproofs.

The feature remains experimental on testnet while Base collects telemetry, bug reports and community feedback. If testing is successful, Base may migrate the technology to mainnet as part of its decentralization roadmap.

The Azul update follows industry work on proof aggregation and modular proving systems. The testnet phase will test practical performance tradeoffs such as how proofs are aggregated, how they are verified on chain and how proposer-prover economics function when multiple providers compete or collaborate.