Base network hits 1B transactions amid NFT issue

Coinbase’s Ethereum (CRYPTO:ETH) layer-2 solution, Base, has achieved a major milestone by surpassing 1 billion transactions since its launch in August 2023.

This accomplishment, reached in just over a year, underscores the rapid growth of the network, which has quickly risen to challenge more established players like Bitcoin.

According to a CoinGecko report, Base has become the second most popular blockchain in 2024, surpassing other layer-2 solutions like Optimism (CRYPTO:OP) and Arbitrum (CRYPTO:ARB).

The report highlighted that “the Base ecosystem has seen its share of investor interest increase by over 5 times since Q1,” showcasing its strong market presence.

Despite this achievement, the celebration was marred by controversy surrounding an NFT minted to commemorate the milestone.

Digital artist Chris Biron accused Base of copying his work without attribution, noting that the network had already profited over $36,000 from the NFT sale.

“I usually like it when someone recreates/remixes my work. But when a 76 billion dollar corporation copies it, sells it, and gets $36k+ in profit without attributing me at all, it feels less fun,” Biron remarked.

In response to the allegations, Base’s lead developer, Jesse Pollak, issued a public apology acknowledging the unintentional oversight.

“Creativity often draws from a pool of shared inspiration, and while designing this piece we unintentionally mirrored the work of another artist without attribution. We’re sorry, and we’ll be sending 100% of the proceeds to Biron,” Pollak stated.

Biron commended Base’s swift response, calling it a “class act” and expressing appreciation for the network’s respectful handling of the issue.