Base Celebrates Milestone Amid NFT Misuse Claims

Base Hits 1 Billion Transactions, Becoming the Fastest-Growing Ethereum Layer-2 Network

On November 15, 2024, Base, an Ethereum Layer-2 network, achieved a major milestone by completing one billion transactions in record time. Launched in August 2023, Base reached this impressive goal in just over a year, showcasing its rapid development. To put it into perspective, Bitcoin took over 15 years to reach the same level of success.

Base has emerged as the fastest-growing Layer-2 solution for Ethereum, surpassing competitors like Optimism and Arbitrum. According to the latest CoinGecko report, Base is ranked as the second most popular blockchain in 2024 and attracts nine times more attention than its closest competitor, Arbitrum.

With Coinbase serving as its primary support, Base benefits from the strength and credibility of the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States. This relationship has been pivotal in the network’s rapid growth and adoption.

NFT Release Sparks Copyright Concerns

To celebrate its one billion transaction milestone, Base released a commemorative NFT. However, the artwork quickly sparked backlash after digital artist Chris Biron accused the platform of using his work without proper attribution. Biron claimed that Base profited over $36,000 from the NFT, yet he was not credited for his creation.

The artist voiced his frustration with the situation, stating, “When a $76 billion corporation uses my work and earns significant profits without credit, it feels unfair.” This sparked concerns about creative ownership and the ethics of using art without permission.

Base Apologizes and Resolves the Issue

In response to the controversy, Base’s lead developer, Jesse Pollak, issued a public apology. Pollak acknowledged that the incident was unintentional and confirmed the artwork’s resemblance to Biron’s creation. In the statement, Base promised to transfer all proceeds from the NFT sales to Biron and committed to improving its processes to prevent similar issues in the future.

Biron responded positively to the apology, calling it a “class act.” He commended Base for addressing the situation respectfully and taking swift corrective action. While Base’s milestone highlights its growing prominence in the blockchain space, the NFT controversy serves as a reminder of the challenges surrounding creative ownership and attribution.

Key Points

• Base achieved one billion transactions in just over a year, becoming the fastest-growing Ethereum Layer-2 network.
• Base’s NFT release celebrating the milestone sparked copyright concerns after artist Chris Biron accused the platform of using his work without attribution.
• The network issued a public apology, transferred all NFT proceeds to Biron, and pledged to improve its processes to prevent similar issues.
• Base continues to gain traction, with Coinbase’s support playing a significant role in its rapid growth and success.