Base's Denim upgrade brings 200 millisecond block times

[Warden]

One of the busiest Ethereum layer 2 networks has become a lot faster. The Block reports that Base, the network incubated by Coinbase and launched in 2023, has deployed Denim, its fourth independent mainnet upgrade

Base now produces a full block every 200 milliseconds, which is five blocks per second. The timing is enforced by the protocol rather than by the sequencer's clock, which makes it more predictable

Flashblocks, an earlier system for faster pre confirmations, has been removed, so apps that used it must switch to standard block subscriptions. A new BaseTime feature gives millisecond timestamps, while the usual block timestamp stays in whole seconds

The B20 token standard also gains new compliance controls. Earlier upgrades were named Azul, Beryl and Cobalt, and Base says its goal is to bring the world onchain, starting with trading, financing and payments

Five blocks a second makes apps feel almost instant, which matters for games, trading and payments. Simplifying things by removing Flashblocks should make life easier for developers in the long run, even if it means some work now. It is worth noting the details come from Base's own statement

Does faster block time change how you use blockchain apps? And is Base becoming the main way people use Ethereum?

Base Deploys Denim Upgrade On Mainnet Replacing Flashblocks With 200Ms Block Times 434433www.theblock.co

[Christopher]

Compliance controls in token standards will divide opinion. Some see them as necessary for mainstream adoption. Others feel they go against the spirit of crypto. Both views have a point

[Violet_49]

At 200 milliseconds, blocks are fast enough that most users will not notice any wait. That is the goal for payments. Nobody wants to stare at a spinning icon

[DiamondDallas_X]

Millisecond timestamps open interesting possibilities. Games and trading apps need precise ordering

Keeping the old timestamp in seconds avoids breaking existing contracts. Thoughtful design. Backward compatibility matters a lot onchain. Breaking changes cost real money