Base vs Arbitrum One

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

	Base	Arbitrum One
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 (Coinbase)	Single sequencer (Offchain Labs)
Governance	Coinbase-led + Superchain	Arbitrum DAO + Security Council
Key risk	Coinbase-run sequencer	Centralized sequencer

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

Arbitrum One C+

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

Centralized sequencer
Security Council can fast-track upgrades

Bottom line

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