Base Network to Launch Beryl Hard Fork and New B20 Token Standard

The Coinbase-incubated Layer 2 network, Base, has officially announced the upcoming activation of its Beryl hard fork upgrade. Scheduled for late June 2024, this technical milestone introduces the B20 native token standard alongside significant infrastructure optimizations. The upgrade is designed to enhance the network's efficiency, reduce operational costs for node operators, and provide institutional-grade tools for asset issuers operating on the Ethereum-based scaling solution.

Introduction of B20 Standard and Enhanced Compliance

A core component of the Beryl upgrade is the launch of B20, a native token standard implemented as a Rust precompile. While remaining fully compatible with the existing ERC-20 framework, B20 is specifically engineered to meet the needs of stablecoins, Real-World Assets (RWAs), and long-tail token issuers. This standard integrates a robust compliance toolkit directly into the protocol level.

• Transfer Strategies: Customizable rules for asset movement.
• Freeze and Seize: Mechanisms for regulatory and security compliance.
• Role-Based Access Control: Granular management of administrative permissions.
• Supply Caps and Memos: Built-in limits and transactional metadata support.

By moving these functions into a native precompile, the network aims to offer higher security and lower gas costs for complex financial instruments.

Infrastructure Optimizations and Faster Withdrawals

Beyond asset standards, Beryl introduces the Reth V2 upgrade, which provides substantial performance gains for the network's execution layer. Technical benchmarks indicate that Reth V2 will reduce disk usage by 50% while simultaneously increasing throughput by 33%. Additionally, the upgrade streamlines the bridge between Layer 2 and the Ethereum mainnet. The final confirmation period for single-proof withdrawals will be shortened from the current 7-day window to 5 days, significantly improving liquidity access for users.

Deployment Schedule and Implementation

The rollout of the Beryl hard fork will follow a two-stage deployment process to ensure network stability across the ecosystem.

• Sepolia Testnet: Activation is set for June 19, 2026, at 2:00 AM (UTC+8).
• Mainnet Activation: The official upgrade is scheduled for June 26, 2026, at 2:00 AM (UTC+8).

The single-proof dispute resolution procedure remains a critical safety mechanism during this transition to ensure the integrity of the withdrawal process.

The Beryl upgrade represents a strategic evolution for Base as it seeks to capture a larger share of the institutional and RWA market. By reducing the friction of withdrawals and providing developers with a more performant execution environment via Reth V2, Base continues to align its infrastructure with the broader scalability goals of the Ethereum ecosystem. Following the successful testnet phase, the mainnet activation on June 26 will mark a new phase for native asset issuance on the platform.