Base Announces Decision to Go Open-Source for Transparency and Accountability
Layer 2 network Base has made the decision to build in the open, allowing public access to its smart contract codes. The company believes that transparency, accountability, and partnerships are essential in fostering community participation and development.
In a statement released on October 19, Base explained that all smart contract and web GitHub repositories can now be accessed by developers and the wider community. By sharing the code with the public, Base aims to invite scrutiny and track the progress of its network.
Transparency and Accountability in Base
The team behind Base, which is backed by Coinbase, emphasized that open-sourcing the code will keep them in check and allow others to contribute, refine, and build new solutions for layer 2 networks and the broader ecosystem. It also provides an avenue for valuable community feedback.
This move aligns with recent calls for blockchain projects to make their code open-source to facilitate learning, auditing, and better participation. While some argue against it to protect intellectual property, Base believes that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Incentives Against Bad Actors
Base acknowledges that making its code open-source may attract both good and bad developers. To prevent any potential vulnerabilities, the team urges positive developers and the community to scrutinize the code. In fact, they have offered a bounty of up to $1 million for detecting bugs through their HackerOne bounty program.
Hot Take: Embracing Open-Source for a Stronger Crypto Community
Base’s decision to go open-source demonstrates its commitment to transparency and accountability in the crypto space. By allowing public access to its smart contract codes, Base invites collaboration, feedback, and scrutiny from developers and users alike. This move not only fosters community participation but also helps prevent potential security issues through bug detection and fixes. Open-sourcing code is a growing trend in the blockchain industry, as it promotes learning, auditing, and the development of better solutions. Base’s decision sets an example for other projects to follow, ultimately strengthening the crypto community as a whole.