Overview
- Base activated the B20 protocol-level token standard on mainnet at 6:00 pm UTC on June 26, enabling developers to mint native tokens through the network.
- B20 gives issuers a native path to create stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets, tokenized equities and other fungible tokens without deploying separate ERC‑20 contracts.
- The standard embeds issuer controls such as minting, burning, pausing, transfer restrictions, supply limits and transaction notes and ships with an Issuer Toolkit that supports role-based permissions and optional freeze or seizure functions for regulated firms.
- B20 remains compatible with the ERC‑20 spec and supports ERC‑2612 permits so existing wallets, exchanges and indexers should work without changes, and it supports two formats: an asset version with 6–18 decimals and a stablecoin version fixed to six decimals with a required fiat denomination.
- The launch followed short sequencer outages on June 25–26 that Base investigated and said were unrelated to the upgrade; the Beryl rollout that delivered B20 also added Reth V2 to cut node storage and shortened common Base-to‑Ethereum withdrawal windows to support native issuance.