Base Delays Beryl Upgrade to June 26 for B20 Launch

Base postpones its Beryl upgrade to June 26 to ensure the B20 token standard's stability. The update introduces RWA features and faster Ethereum withdrawals.

The Beryl update, originally scheduled for June 25, is now set to go live on June 26 at 18:00 UTC.

The Base team stated that this decision serves as a precautionary measure to ensure the full functionality of the “B20 Activation Registry.” This infrastructure is essential for the correct activation of the network’s new token standard. Developers clarified that the delay is unrelated to a separate technical issue that affected the blockchain earlier in the day.

The company emphasized that user funds were never at risk and confirmed the network continues to operate normally.

B20 introduces a new token standard

Beryl represents one of the most significant upgrades for Base since its launch. The primary focus is the implementation of the B20 standard, designed specifically for issuing stablecoins and real-world assets (RWA).

Unlike traditional ERC-20 tokens that operate as smart contracts, B20 utilizes precompiled modules integrated directly into the node software. This architecture enables significantly higher efficiency and provides issuers with built-in management tools.

The new standard includes features such as customizable user roles, transfer restrictions, and the ability to temporarily freeze or seize assets when required by regulators. These capabilities position B20 as a specialized infrastructure for institutional participants and regulated financial products.

Beyond the new token standard, Beryl will reduce the time required to withdraw funds from Base to Ethereum. The standard waiting window will be shortened from seven to five days, aiming to improve the user experience and ecosystem liquidity.

Performance enhancements and node efficiency

The update also integrates Reth V2, a new version of the execution client. Developers expect this to reduce the disk space required to run nodes by up to 50%, making infrastructure management more efficient while boosting overall network performance.

Earlier today, Base encountered a separate technical glitch where block production halted for approximately two hours due to a consensus error triggered by an invalid block. However, the team stressed that this incident has no connection to the Beryl delay or the preparation of the B20 Activation Registry.

Following the resolution of the issue, the blockchain resumed normal operations with no impact on user funds or network integrity.

Cobalt: The next major milestone

Beryl is part of a broader strategy for Base to build infrastructure tailored for institutional financial applications and RWA tokenization. The next major network update, named Cobalt, is currently planned for September 2026.

Cobalt is expected to introduce further enhancements to the B20 standard, as Base seeks to solidify its position among Ethereum Layer 2 solutions and attract more institutional developers and asset issuers.