Arbitrum One vs Base

Which is more decentralized — Arbitrum One or Base? A side-by-side on consensus, nodes, clients and governance.

	Arbitrum One	Base
Grade	C+	C
Type	L2 · Optimistic rollup	L2 · Optimistic rollup
Nakamoto / stage	Stage 1	Stage 1
Node / validator set	Inherits Ethereum security	Inherits Ethereum security
Clients / sequencer	Single sequencer (Offchain Labs)	Single sequencer (Coinbase)
Governance	Arbitrum DAO + Security Council	Coinbase-led + Superchain
Key risk	Centralized sequencer	Coinbase-run sequencer

Arbitrum One C+

L2BEAT Stage 1
Permissionless exits + 7-day upgrade timelock
Active Arbitrum DAO

Centralized sequencer
Security Council can fast-track upgrades

Base C

L2BEAT Stage 1
Massive adoption & liquidity
Backed by the OP Stack roadmap

Sequencer run by Coinbase (single regulated operator)
No token / foundation-style governance

Bottom line

Among the most decentralized L2s — sequencer decentralization is the remaining step. Stage-1 guarantees with a notably centralized, Coinbase-operated sequencer.