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Base (ETH)

What is the Base Blockchain?​

Here are 5 key points about the Base Blockchain:

  • Base is designed as a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum, enhancing its scalability and transaction throughput. It was launched on August 9, 2023 by Coinbase, a cryptocurrency exchange company based in the United States.
  • It is fully compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and operates on top of the Ethereum mainnet, leveraging optimistic rollups to bundle transactions off-chain and submit them as a single batch to Ethereum.
  • By processing transactions off-chain and only periodically submitting batches to the Ethereum mainnet, Base significantly reduces transaction fees compared to conducting transactions directly on Ethereum.
  • Base provides a secure and trustless bridging mechanism to move assets between the Base network and the Ethereum mainnet.
  • There is no native currency on the Base Blockchain. Ethereum that is bridged to the Base Blockchain is what the network uses for transaction fees.
note

Gem Wallet uses the term Base Ethereum or simply (ETH) as the main token on the Base Blockchain.

Base ETH on Gem Wallet Base ETH Chart on Gem Wallet

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Learn more about the Base Blockchain by reading the Gem Wallet Learn article:
What Is The Base Blockchain?

Base on Gem Wallet​

Gem Wallet has the following features enabled for Base:

What are Base ERC20 tokens?​

  • ERC20 tokens are a type of digital assets issued via smart contracts on the Ethereum network.
  • Base supports the transfer and interoperability of ERC20 tokens from the Ethereum network to the Base Network. Base itself does not have its own native ERC20 tokens.
  • They allows users to access a wide range of ERC20 tokens and decentralized applications (dApps) on Base while benefiting from its scalability and low transaction fees.

USDC ERC20 on BASE Base ERC20 Tokens on Gem Wallet

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Learn more about ERC20 tokens from this Gem Wallet Learn article: What Is ERC20 and What You Need to Know About Tokens on the Ethereum Blockchain

How to Get Base ETH?​

Here are some ways to acquire some Base Ethereum (ETH):

  • Buy Base Ethereum (ETH) directly on the Gem Wallet app.
  • Receive Base ETH with the unique Base Ethereum address on the Gem Wallet app.
  • Swap ERC20 tokens to Base ETH. This requires that you already have Base ETH on your wallet to pay for fees.

Buy on BASE ETH on Gem Wallet Receive Base ETH on Gem Wallet

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Send only Base Ethereum (ETH) on the address.

Transaction Fees on Base​

The fees on Base are summarized as follows:

  • Users conducting transactions on the Base Network pay fees denominated in Base Ethereum (ETH).
  • Base significantly lowers transaction fees compared to those on the Ethereum mainnet by utilizing Optimistic Rollup technology.
  • The transaction fees on Base are more predictable and stable due to its efficient off-chain processing.

Send BASE ETH Fee on Gem Wallet Transfer Base ETH on Gem Wallet

How to Check Base Ethereum (ETH) Balance?​

Gem Wallet app connects to the Base Network to show the ETH balance on your wallet. Tap on the 3 dots at the upper right corner, then tap on View address on BaseScan.

View Address Link to BaseScan Base ETH Address on BaseScan

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BaseScan is the default Base ETH explorer of Gem Wallet. You can manually check balances and transactions by going to BaseScan and search for your ETH address.