Backed by Coinbase, the Ethereum layer 2 network Base has activated the highly anticipated Beryl upgrade on its Sepolia testnet, setting the stage for a mainnet rollout planned for June 25. The upgrade brings major technical changes in token creation, withdrawal speeds, and network scalability, signalling a new phase for developers and users.
Highlights of the Beryl upgrade
According to details shared by Base, Beryl builds upon the previously released Azul upgrade, further strengthening network infrastructure with the goal of higher efficiency and improved performance for both developers and end users. As an Ethereum layer 2 solution backed by Coinbase, Base continues to focus on facilitating faster and more cost-effective transactions.
The Base Build account announced that Beryl is now live on Base Sepolia, introducing three key innovations: the B20 token standard, reduced withdrawal delays, and the implementation of Reth V2.
One of the standout features in this upgrade is the launch of the new B20 token standard. With B20, developers will be able to issue their own tokens directly on Base. These tokens can cover a wide range, including stablecoins, digital assets representing real-world value, and various digital financial instruments.
Base explains that B20 departs from conventional smart contract-based models to offer an integrated system running within the network itself. This is meant to deliver faster and more efficient token operations, while simplifying the process of distributing tokens for projects and companies alike.
Glossary: Real-world assets are financial instruments like bonds, investment fund shares, or commodities that exist outside the blockchain but can be represented on-chain. A token standard is the set of technical rules that determine how these assets are created and transferred on the network.
B20 standard and compatibility
A significant aspect of the B20 standard is its compatibility with ERC 20, the prevailing Ethereum token standard. This allows wallets, exchanges, and decentralized applications to support B20 tokens without having to make major changes, ensuring a seamless integration with existing infrastructure.
Additionally, Base has announced a set of issuance tools for B20 tokens, covering minting, burning, and transfer controls. Different versions of the B20 standard have been developed for diverse use cases: some are structured for broader asset flexibility, while others have features tailored for stablecoins with fixed precision rules. This flexibility is intended to help companies manage asset rules and compliance more efficiently.
Withdrawal times and network performance
With the Beryl upgrade, the wait period for users moving funds from Base to Ethereum is being shortened. What was once a seven-day delay will now drop to five days for most common use cases. This improvement aims to give users faster access to their assets and enables bridge service providers to use capital more efficiently.
Base has stressed that this reduction in withdrawal time comes without compromising security. Advances in multi-proof structures now make it possible to speed up withdrawals, whereas older error-proofing mechanisms required longer waits. The majority of transactions will still use the classic single proof path, so the five-day window primarily applies to this widespread scenario.
Another major aspect of this update is the rollout of Reth V2, a significant improvement to Base’s execution client. This new version reduces storage requirements for nodes, accelerates transaction processing, and enhances state calculation mechanisms. As a result, Base aims to expand block space over time to support even more applications and users. While end users do not need to take any action, node operators must complete their software upgrades before mainnet launch.
