Base Public API – Your Gateway to Ethereum L2 Development
Base is emerging as a leading Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) solution, designed with security, scalability, and developer accessibility at its core. Built on the open-source OP Stack—a framework pioneered by Optimism—Base functions as a rollup network that processes transactions off the main Ethereum chain, significantly reducing fees and congestion while maintaining Ethereum’s robust security model.
As the official L2 of Coinbase, Base is positioned to become the onchain home for Coinbase and a launchpad for decentralized applications (dApps) looking to tap into Coinbase’s vast user base and ecosystem. Whether you're building DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, or Web3 gaming platforms, Base offers a seamless environment to scale your project efficiently.
Why Choose Base for Web3 Development?
The rapid growth of blockchain applications has exposed key limitations in Ethereum’s mainnet—high gas fees, slow transaction speeds, and poor scalability. Base addresses these challenges head-on by leveraging optimistic rollup technology, which batches transactions off-chain and submits them to Ethereum as compressed data.
This approach enables:
- Lower transaction costs: Users pay a fraction of the gas fees compared to Ethereum mainnet.
- Faster confirmations: Transactions are processed quickly within the L2 before final settlement on Ethereum.
- Full EVM compatibility: Developers can deploy Solidity-based smart contracts without modification.
- Seamless integration with Coinbase: dApps can easily connect with Coinbase wallets, on-ramps, and user infrastructure.
With over 100 active dApps already deployed on Base, including leading projects in DeFi and social networks, the ecosystem is rapidly expanding. This momentum reflects a broader industry shift toward scalable, cost-effective blockchain solutions—making Base a strategic choice for forward-thinking developers.
Core Keywords:
- Base Public API
- Ethereum L2
- OP Stack
- Rollup Network
- Blockchain Scalability
- Web3 Development
- dApp Deployment
- Coinbase Onchain
Base Mainnet: Powering the Next Generation of dApps
Launched as a fully operational mainnet, Base has quickly gained traction among developers seeking high performance without compromising decentralization. By inheriting Ethereum’s security through the OP Stack, Base ensures trust-minimized operations while enabling thousands of transactions per second.
Its architecture supports:
- Instant block finality for user-facing applications
- Low-latency interactions ideal for real-time dApps
- Native integration with Coinbase’s fiat-to-crypto on-ramps
- Developer tools and APIs for streamlined deployment
As part of its mission to onboard the next billion users to Web3, Base emphasizes ease of use, robust infrastructure, and strong community support. The network's open nature invites innovation across sectors—from decentralized identity to tokenized real-world assets.
Using the Base Public API
The Base Public API provides developers with direct access to the blockchain’s data layer, enabling real-time interaction with blocks, transactions, accounts, and smart contracts. One of the most commonly used methods is eth_blockNumber, which retrieves the latest block number from the chain.
Example: Fetching the Latest Block Number
To get the current block height using eth_blockNumber, send a POST request to the public endpoint:
curl -X POST https://base-mainnet.public.blastapi.io \
-H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":0,"method":"eth_blockNumber"}'Response Format
{
"jsonrpc": "2.0",
"id": 0,
"result": "0x1b4"
}Note: The result is returned in hexadecimal format. Convert it to decimal (e.g., 0x1b4 → 436) to interpret the actual block number.This simple yet powerful method serves as a foundation for monitoring chain activity, syncing applications, or triggering events based on block progression.
Performance Metrics and Reliability
Public API endpoints must be reliable and performant to support production-grade applications. The Base Public API hosted via BlastAPI demonstrates strong operational metrics:
- Average API calls per second: 794.97
- Average daily API calls: 68,685,729
- API calls in last 24 hours: 45,024,810
These figures highlight widespread adoption and consistent demand across developer teams globally. High throughput and low latency make this endpoint suitable for both small-scale experiments and enterprise-level deployments.
However, for projects requiring enhanced reliability, dedicated rate limits, or multi-chain support, upgrading to a managed service environment is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Base in blockchain?
Base is an Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) rollup network developed by Coinbase using the OP Stack. It enhances scalability and reduces transaction costs while maintaining Ethereum's security. It serves as a platform for building and deploying decentralized applications with seamless access to Coinbase’s ecosystem.
Is Base built on Optimism?
Yes, Base is built on Optimism’s OP Stack, an open-source framework for creating secure and scalable rollup chains. While operated independently by Coinbase, Base shares technical foundations with Optimism and contributes to the broader OP Stack ecosystem.
How do I connect to the Base network?
You can connect to Base using compatible wallets like MetaMask by adding the network manually with the correct RPC URL: https://base-mainnet.public.blastapi.io
Chain ID: 8453
Currency symbol: ETH
Many dApp frontends also support one-click network switching via WalletConnect or similar tools.
Is the Base Public API free to use?
Yes, the public API endpoint is free to use for basic development and testing. However, usage may be subject to rate limiting. For higher throughput, dedicated endpoints, and advanced features like analytics and uptime monitoring, consider upgrading to a premium developer platform.
Can I deploy smart contracts on Base?
Absolutely. Base is fully EVM-compatible, meaning any smart contract written in Solidity can be deployed directly to Base without modification. Tools like Hardhat, Foundry, and Remix work seamlessly with the network.
How does Base handle transaction finality?
As an optimistic rollup, Base assumes transactions are valid by default. There is a challenge period (typically 7 days) during which fraud proofs can be submitted. After this period, transactions are finalized on Ethereum mainnet. For most user interactions, finality is considered near-instant on the L2.
Supercharge Your Blockchain Projects
While public endpoints offer a great starting point, production-ready applications often require more stability, speed, and customization. Advanced developer platforms allow you to create dedicated API endpoints across multiple chains—including Base, Ethereum, Polygon, and more—with enhanced throughput and priority access.
With intuitive dashboards, detailed usage analytics, and comprehensive documentation, these tools empower developers to manage complex multi-chain architectures efficiently.
Whether you're launching a new dApp or scaling an existing one, leveraging robust infrastructure accelerates time-to-market and improves user experience.
Final Thoughts
Base represents a pivotal advancement in blockchain scalability and mass adoption. By combining the strengths of the OP Stack with Coinbase’s global reach, it offers developers an ideal environment to build innovative Web3 applications that are fast, affordable, and secure.
As the ecosystem continues to grow, early adopters stand to benefit from first-mover advantages—accessing engaged communities, forming strategic partnerships, and shaping the future of decentralized technology.
Now is the time to explore what Base can do for your next project.