Vitalik Buterin praises Base for UX and Ethereum security 

In a recent Х post, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin praised Base, a Layer 2 solution developed by Coinbase. Buterin emphasized the non-custodial nature of the platform, which allows users to retain control over their funds through Ethereum's smart contract logic, while also improving user experience with certain centralized features.

The endorsement comes as crypto regulations and blockchain platform classifications remain hotly debated topics. Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal recently pushed back against the SEC's regulatory approach, arguing that classifying sequencers on Layer 2 solutions like Base as exchanges fundamentally misunderstands their function. According to Grewal, L2s operate as general-purpose blockchain infrastructure rather than traditional marketplaces.

Buterin expressed support for Base’s design and functionality. Addressing centralization and custody risks, he highlighted the platform’s Stage 1 security status, which ensures users retain control of their funds through Ethereum's smart contract logic.

Base does not have custody over your funds, they cannot steal funds or stop you from withdrawing funds (this is part of the L2beat stage 1 definition),

Buterin wrote. 

To support his argument, Buterin provided concrete examples of this non-custodial functionality in action. When dYdX v3 shut down its operations, users successfully withdrew their funds automatically through the underlying infrastructure. Similarly, users on other Layer 2 networks have demonstrated the ability to circumvent centralized sequencer censorship by submitting transactions directly to Ethereum's base Layer 1 (L1). 

Buterin concluded that Layer 2s are non-custodial extensions of Ethereum, ensuring that funds remain ultimately controlled by L1 via smart contract logic.

According to L2Beat, Base is currently ranks as the second-largest Ethereum Layer 2 by total value locked, trailing only Arbitrum One with over $15 billion secured on the network.

Related article: Vitalik Buterin: Ethereum Should Be as Simple as Bitcoin