Base Mainnet Upgrade “Beryl” Goes Live: Ethereum Layer 2 Network Introduces Faster Withdrawals and Native Token Standard

Coinbase-incubated Ethereum Layer 2 network Base is preparing for one of its most significant infrastructure upgrades to date, as the “Beryl” update moves toward mainnet activation on June 25. The upgrade introduces major changes to token standards, withdrawal speeds, and underlying network architecture, marking another step in Base’s rapid development cycle.

According to development updates shared by the Base engineering team, the Beryl upgrade follows the earlier “Azul” release and represents the network’s continued shift toward greater independence and performance optimization within the broader Ethereum scaling ecosystem.

The upgrade arrives at a time when Layer 2 networks are competing to improve scalability, reduce transaction costs, and enhance user experience across decentralized finance, stablecoin infrastructure, and onchain applications.

A Faster Development Cycle for Base

Base has accelerated its upgrade cadence significantly over recent months. Following its separation from shared components of the OP Stack earlier this year, the network has moved toward a more independent development roadmap.

Source: Official X

The previous upgrade, known as Azul, marked an important transition in Base’s architecture. It established the foundation for faster iteration cycles, allowing the network to deploy updates more frequently rather than waiting for long release intervals typical in earlier Layer 2 systems.

With Beryl, Base continues that momentum, pushing new functionality through testnet environments such as Sepolia before final deployment on mainnet.

Engineers involved in the project describe this shift as part of a broader effort to make Base more responsive to developer needs and market demands, particularly as onchain activity continues to expand.

Withdrawal Times Reduced for Users

One of the most noticeable changes introduced by the Beryl upgrade is a reduction in withdrawal times from Base back to Ethereum.

Previously, users transferring assets from Base to Ethereum faced a standard waiting period of approximately seven days. This delay was originally designed as a security mechanism to allow fraud proofs and dispute resolution within the network’s optimistic rollup framework.

With the Beryl upgrade, that waiting period is reduced to five days for the standard withdrawal path.

While seemingly small, this two-day reduction represents a meaningful improvement for traders and liquidity providers who frequently move assets between Layer 2 networks and Ethereum mainnet. Faster withdrawals can reduce capital inefficiencies and improve flexibility during periods of market volatility.

It is important to note that Base already supports faster withdrawal mechanisms under specific conditions through its multiproof system. However, those paths are often more complex and less frequently used due to higher computational requirements.

Beryl focuses instead on improving the most commonly used withdrawal route, which carries the majority of user activity.

Introduction of the B20 Token Standard

One of the most technically significant components of the Beryl upgrade is the introduction of a new native token standard known as B20.

Unlike traditional ERC-20 tokens, which exist as smart contracts deployed on top of a blockchain, B20 tokens are implemented at the protocol level. This means they are integrated directly into Base’s node software rather than operating solely as external smart contracts.

Source: Wu Blockchain X

Developers working on Base have positioned B20 as a performance-oriented standard designed to streamline token creation and management, particularly for stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets.

Despite its deeper integration, B20 maintains compatibility with the widely used ERC-20 interface. It also supports ERC-2612 permit functionality, allowing users to approve transactions without requiring additional onchain approval steps.

This compatibility ensures that wallets, exchanges, and decentralized applications can interact with B20 tokens without requiring major technical changes.

Features Designed for Institutional and Stablecoin Use

The B20 standard introduces several built-in features aimed at regulated financial applications. These include role-based permissions, minting and burning controls, supply caps, transfer restrictions, and administrative tools such as freeze and seize functions.

These capabilities are particularly relevant for stablecoin issuers and institutions exploring tokenized financial instruments. They provide greater control over asset issuance and compliance, which is often required in regulated environments.

Base is also preparing two initial versions of the B20 standard: a general-purpose token format and a stablecoin-specific variant with fixed decimal precision.

Security audits for the system have reportedly been conducted internally as well as by external firms, including Spearbit. Additional improvements are expected in future updates, including the possibility for token issuers to pay transaction fees directly in their own B20 assets instead of relying solely on Ethereum’s native token.

Reth V2 Improves Network Efficiency

Alongside token-level improvements, the Beryl upgrade also includes a major update to Base’s execution layer through the introduction of Reth V2.

Reth is a Rust-based execution client that Base has increasingly relied on for performance optimization. The updated version is designed to reduce storage requirements across different node configurations, including full, minimal, and archival setups.

By optimizing disk usage and improving execution efficiency, Reth V2 opens the door for higher gas limits and increased block capacity without placing additional strain on network infrastructure.

This change is expected to benefit developers building decentralized applications on Base, as it could translate into more available blockspace and improved transaction throughput.

Preparing for the Next Upgrade: Cobalt

Even as Beryl moves toward mainnet deployment, Base developers are already preparing for the next major release, known as “Cobalt,” which is targeted for September.

Cobalt is expected to introduce native account abstraction, a feature that could significantly change how users interact with blockchain applications. This would enable smart accounts with built-in capabilities such as gas sponsorship, transaction batching, and improved user experience for onboarding new users.

In addition, Cobalt is expected to expand functionality within the B20 token framework and further streamline Base’s node architecture by merging consensus and execution components into a unified system.

Impact on Traders and Developers

For traders, the most immediate impact of the Beryl upgrade will likely be improved capital efficiency due to shorter withdrawal delays. In fast-moving markets, even a two-day reduction in settlement time can influence arbitrage strategies and liquidity positioning.

For developers, the introduction of a native token standard and improved execution performance may reduce friction when building financial applications, particularly those involving stablecoins and institutional-grade assets.

The upgrade also signals Base’s broader ambition to position itself as a leading Ethereum Layer 2 network capable of supporting large-scale financial infrastructure.

Conclusion

The Beryl mainnet upgrade represents a significant milestone in Base’s evolution as an Ethereum Layer 2 network. By reducing withdrawal times, introducing a protocol-level token standard, and improving execution efficiency through Reth V2, the network is aiming to enhance both performance and usability.

With the upcoming Cobalt upgrade already on the roadmap, Base’s rapid development cycle suggests that further structural changes are on the horizon. For developers, traders, and institutions operating within the Ethereum ecosystem, these updates highlight an increasingly competitive and fast-moving Layer 2 landscape.

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