- Base has experienced a 78% decline in on-chain volume since December amid the market downturn.
- Only a few Base tokens remain profitable for most holders, impacting retail interest.
- The question remains if this is a temporary setback or a turning point for the protocol’s growth.
Base, layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum, became one of the preferred platforms for new retail traders in 2024. As per data, quarterly transactions on the platform reached an all-time high in Q4 ’24. However, the prevailing market downturn has reportedly put considerable stress on the burgeoning ecosystem, raising questions about its resilience and future growth trajectory.

As per IntoTheBlock’s analysis, the recent market dip has significantly impacted the profitability of holding Base tokens. Currently, only a handful of tokens within the ecosystem boast a majority of holders in profit, creating hurdles for attracting and retaining retail investor interest. This decline in profitability has directly affected on-chain activity and engagement within the L-2 network.
This is further evidenced by the substantial decrease in transaction volumes. On-chain data reveals a dramatic 78% decline in on-chain volume for a representative basket of eight Base assets since December. This sharp drop indicates a reduction in trading activity and lesser participation within the layer-2 ecosystem, signaling a potential cooling of initial enthusiasm.
Base Downturn: Temporary Setback or Turning Point?
The critical question now for Base is whether this downturn represents a temporary setback within the context of broader market fluctuations, or if it signals a more fundamental shift in investor sentiment and a potential turning point for the platform. While its strong initial adoption and Coinbase support provide a solid foundation, its ability to withstand this storm and reignite retail interest will determine its long-term success in the competitive Ethereum Layer-2 landscape.
Built using the OP Stack, Base leverages Optimistic Rollups to process transactions off-chain while relying on Ethereum’s mainnet (Layer 1) for security and final settlement. This design allows it to offer significantly lower transaction fees and faster processing times compared to Ethereum’s mainnet, making it an attractive option for decentralized applications (dApps), decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and other blockchain-focused innovations.
Unlike some other L2 networks, Base currently does not have its own native token. Instead, transactions on the network are paid for using Ether (ETH), Ethereum’s native cryptocurrency. This decision fits with the platform’s goal of creating a seamless, user-friendly experience that integrates with its existing infrastructure and users of over 100 million customers.