Base activates its Beryl upgrade on mainnet June 25, 2026, at 18:00 UTC, introducing the B20 native token standard and reducing single-proof withdrawal finalization from seven days to five days. The upgrade adds compliance tools for stablecoin issuers and deploys Reth V2, an execution client that cuts node disk usage by roughly half. Base released Beryl to compete for stablecoin and tokenized asset issuance among layer-two networks following its May Azul upgrade.
B20 Token Standard Runs as Rust Precompiles
The upgrade introduces B20, a native token standard built directly into node software rather than deployed as a smart contract. Base engineers describe B20 as a superset of the ERC-20 standard, meaning tokens built on it stay compatible with existing wallets, exchanges, and decentralized apps. Tokens issued under B20 run as Rust precompiles. Network engineers say this approach lowers transaction costs, reduces the amount of data nodes need to store, and increases throughput compared to standard smart contract tokens.
Two B20 token types are available at launch. Asset tokens support configurable decimals and rebasing. Stablecoin tokens use a fixed six decimals and a self-declared currency code.
Compliance Tools Include Role Permissions and Address Freezing
Base built B20 with stablecoin issuers and tokenized asset platforms in mind. The standard ships with compliance tools, including role-based permissions, optional supply caps, and a policy registry that lets issuers set transfer rules for specific addresses. Issuers can also freeze or seize tokens from blocked addresses through a function called burnBlocked, a feature aimed at companies operating under regulatory requirements.
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Withdrawal Window Drops to Five Days with Reth V2 Deployment
Beryl shortens the withdrawal finalization window for the single-proof bridge path from seven days to five. Base added a faster dual-proof option during its prior Azul upgrade in May, which already settles in about one day. A separate change swaps in Reth V2, an updated execution client from Paradigm. Base says the new client cuts node disk usage by roughly half and raises throughput by about a third.
"Beryl makes Base a first-class issuance platform with the B20 token standard, more capital efficient with a reduced withdrawal delay, and more scalable with Reth V2," Conner Swenberg and Base Engineering Team said this week.
Node Operators Must Upgrade to Base/Node 1.1.1 Before June 25
Node operators running Base infrastructure need to upgrade their software to base/node version 1.1.1 or later before the June 25 activation. Base says most users and existing smart contracts require no action. The Beryl testnet version went live on Base Sepolia on June 18. Exchanges, including Binance, have signaled plans for temporary deposit and withdrawal pauses around the mainnet activation window.
Cobalt Upgrade Scheduled for September 2026
Base has another upgrade, called Cobalt, planned for September. Engineers say that the release will add native account abstraction and further updates to the B20 standard. The pace of the two upgrades, Azul in May and Beryl in June, points to Base moving quickly to compete for stablecoin and tokenized asset issuance among layer-two networks.
FAQ
What does Base's Beryl upgrade do on June 25, 2026?
Beryl activates on mainnet June 25, 2026, at 18:00 UTC, introducing the B20 native token standard built into node software and reducing single-proof withdrawal finalization from seven days to five days.
How does the B20 token standard differ from ERC-20?
B20 runs as Rust precompiles directly in node software rather than as smart contracts, lowering transaction costs and increasing throughput while maintaining compatibility with existing ERC-20 wallets and exchanges.
What compliance tools does B20 include for token issuers?
B20 ships with role-based permissions, optional supply caps, a policy registry for transfer rules, and a burnBlocked function that lets issuers freeze or seize tokens from blocked addresses.
