We are thrilled to announce that the Horizen community has overwhelmingly approved ZenIP 42406 Addendum, with 99.71% of votes in favor.

This pivotal governance decision marks the beginning of Horizen's transition to Base, Coinbase's Layer 2 network, as an appchain optimized for privacy-preserving apps.

Base is an Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) offering a secure, low-cost, builder-friendly way for anyone, anywhere, to build onchain. An appchain is a dedicated Layer 3 blockchain that rolls up to a L2, inheriting its security and liquidity while offering enhanced scalability, interoperability, and customization for specialized applications.

This isn’t a change in Horizen 2.0’s mission - our goals and vision remain the same. Instead, this proposal aims to position Horizen within one of the fastest-growing blockchain ecosystems, unlocking unparalleled scalability, developer support, and institutional trust.

Read the full ZenIP 42406 Addendum, and learn about the motivation and rationale behind this proposal.

What This Means for Horizen and ZEN

The blockchain landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and so is Horizen.

The decision to migrate to Base is not just a technical shift—it’s a strategic move to maximize ZEN’s adoption, utility, and long-term value.

By migrating to Base, Horizen aligns itself with one of the fastest-growing ecosystems backed by Coinbase, unlocking unparalleled scalability, developer support, and institutional trust.

Migrating to Base offers unmatched advantages, including:

• Enhanced Ecosystem Integration

  • By migrating to Base, Horizen instantly connects with a highly active DeFi and dApp ecosystem, providing greater utility and accessibility for $ZEN.

• Unprecedented Scalability & Low Fees

  • Base leverages Optimism’s OP Stack, with plans to scale transaction speeds to sub-1 second finality at costs below 1 cent—ideal for ZK-powered applications.

• Developer Growth & Coinbase Support

  • Base provides a thriving developer community, deep liquidity, and strong marketing support, giving Horizen a competitive edge.

• Institutional-Grade Security & Trust

  • As a Coinbase-backed network, Base enhances ZEN’s institutional credibility, reinforcing its position within Grayscale and Coinbase’s ecosystem and maintaining compliance advantages for $ZEN holders.

• Future-Proofing & Greater Network Effects

  • With 100+ appchains expected on Base in 2025, Horizen is positioned for early adoption, deeper liquidity, and greater interoperability.

• Enhancing Privacy in a Scalable Ecosystem

  • Horizen brings privacy-preserving technology to the Superchain, combining scalability with advanced privacy innovations.

• Optimized ZK Integration

  • Base’s flexible modular architecture enables Horizen to leverage existing rollup infrastructure while focusing on pioneering ZK innovations.

• Cross-Chain Interoperability

  • Base’s robust bridging capabilities foster interoperability with other L2s and L1s, expanding the reach and composability of $ZEN.

• Cost Efficiency

  • Base’s established infrastructure reduces development costs compared to maintaining a standalone Substrate-based chain.

What Happens Next?

The Horizen team is dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition. We will provide regular updates and detailed guides to assist our community throughout the migration process.

We extend our gratitude to all community members who participated in the voting process. Your unwavering support and engagement are instrumental in driving Horizen's evolution.

Stay connected for forthcoming updates and detailed information on the migration timeline and what it means for you as a valued member of the Horizen ecosystem.

Follow Horizen on X and Discord for upcoming details

Final Thoughts: A Defining Moment for Horizen

Moving to Base solidifies Horizen’s position as a leader in privacy and scalability, ensuring that we remain competitive, innovative, and deeply integrated within the Ethereum ecosystem.

Horizen has always been about building for the future, and this transition marks a bold, necessary step toward achieving our mission.

Stay connected and join the conversation:

• Read the full ZenIP

• Join community discussion on Discourse

• Join our Discord

• Follow us on X

Horizen is evolving—be part of the journey!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will this shift to Base have any impact on the claims process?

   The impact on users will be minimal. The claims process will remain largely the same, and we will ensure a smooth transition for all balances, whether from the mainchain or EON, with clear instructions provided ahead of time.

   We are committed to clear and transparent communication throughout the claims process. Before any significant changes take effect, we will provide detailed announcements explaining the process, its impact, and any actions users may need to take. Our goal is to keep the experience as seamless as possible.

2. Will this shift to Base impact the Horizen $HZEN Trust that Grayscale offers?

   No. Grayscale already uses Coinbase Custody for asset storage, aligning well with Horizen’s move to Base - a Coinbase-backed ecosystem. This strategic shift further strengthens ZEN’s institutional positioning and enhances its visibility within the broader Coinbase and Grayscale networks.

3. What About ZEN Holders & Tokenomics?

   This addendum is solely focused on evaluating the transition to Base as the best deployment environment for Horizen and does not include tokenomic changes within its scope. However, it is important to emphasize that ZEN’s fixed 21 million supply will remain unchanged.

   While details are still being finalized, key considerations include:

   • Repurposing Incentives: Components of tokenomics related to the previous parachain infrastructure can be adapted to optimize incentives and enhance utility, adoption, and long-term value.

   • Seamless Migration: Existing ZEN balances will be migrated seamlessly to the new L3 structure, ensuring continuity for users.

   • Exchange Coordination: We are working closely with major exchanges (such as Binance, Coinbase) to ensure a smooth transition.

     This transition is designed to integrate Horizen more deeply within Base and Optimism, leveraging their ecosystem to expand accessibility and adoption.

4. Will this impact the Horizen 2.0 roadmap and timeline?

   While we anticipate potential acceleration, a detailed timeline will be provided soon to ensure transparency.

5. Will Horizen still focus on privacy?

   Yes. Horizen’s commitment to enabling privacy-first applications remains the same. Horizen’s expertise in ZKPs and privacy-preserving technology will be a core part of its differentiation in the Base ecosystem.

6. Why is Horizen making this move now?

   Horizen has always prioritized scalability, privacy, and long-term sustainability, and the decision to transition now is driven by a combination of technological readiness, ecosystem maturity, and strategic timing.

   Earlier, the Layer-3 (L3) ecosystem was still taking shape, with key infrastructure, best practices, and tooling still being built out. Now, with the OP Stack and Base becoming more robust, improved L3 infrastructure, and clearer pathways for integration, the timing is right to ensure Horizen can make this transition effectively. Additionally, the broader Ethereum and Optimism ecosystems have reached a level of maturity where adoption and liquidity can better support new L3s, reducing early-stage risks.

   By moving now, Horizen has the opportunity to be a first mover among established projects, taking advantage of an emerging yet rapidly expanding ecosystem while ensuring a seamless and well-supported transition.

7. How will this move affect $ZEN liquidity?

   Integrating into Base brings ZEN closer to a highly liquid ecosystem, making it easier for users and developers to access and trade. Base's strong ties to Coinbase improve visibility and increase the likelihood of deeper exchange integrations and institutional support.

8. Will Horizen still support EVM and Solidity smart contracts?

   Yes! Moving to Base ensures full EVM compatibility, making it easier for existing developers to deploy on Horizen without needing to learn a new framework.

9. How does Base’s architecture benefit Horizen developers?

   Base’s architecture provides Horizen developers with a robust, scalable, and developer-friendly foundation, enabling faster deployment, lower costs, and access to a growing ecosystem of tools and infrastructure.

   Key Benefits for Horizen Developers:

   1. Lower Development Overhead: Built on the OP Stack, Base provides foundational infrastructure that reduces the complexity of launching and maintaining an L3. Developers can leverage existing tooling, SDKs, and frameworks without needing to build custom solutions from scratch.

   2. Scalability & Cost Efficiency: Base’s architecture enables high throughput and low transaction costs, making it ideal for applications that require frequent transactions, such as DeFi, gaming, and privacy-preserving technologies.

   3. Access to Coinbase-Connected Infrastructure: Base is deeply integrated with developer tools, fiat onramps, and security enhancements, allowing builders to tap into resources that simplify user onboarding and growth.

   4. Future-Proofed Ecosystem: As Base continues to evolve, Horizen developers benefit from ongoing infrastructure improvements, security upgrades, and ecosystem-wide support for scaling solutions.

   By building on Base, Horizen developers can focus on innovation rather than infrastructure, accelerating the creation of scalable, privacy-preserving applications while ensuring long-term alignment with Ethereum’s evolving ecosystem.

10. What happens to existing dApps and contracts on Horizen EON?

    We are assessing the optimal technical approach, and our initial assessment suggests that existing dApps and smart contracts on Horizen EON may need to be redeployed on the Base appchain. While some adjustments may be required, this transition opens up valuable opportunities for developers to access Base’s broader ecosystem, deeper liquidity, and lower transaction costs, enhancing scalability and adoption of their applications.

    To support this process, we will provide clear guidance and assistance, including technical resources and migration support, ensuring a smooth transition. This move positions the Horizen community to thrive within one of the fastest-growing blockchain ecosystems, unlocking new opportunities for dApps and developers alike.

11. Does moving to Base mean Horizen is giving up decentralization?

    No. Horizen remains committed to decentralization while leveraging Base for scalability and accessibility. Base itself is built on the OP Stack, which follows Ethereum’s decentralization principles, and over time, Base’s governance and infrastructure are expected to decentralize further.

    Additionally, Horizen will continue fostering decentralization through community governance and ongoing research in decentralized privacy-preserving technologies.

12. Why build on Base and the OP Stack instead of other emerging technologies?

    Base and the OP Stack have become dominant L2/L3 infrastructure choices due to their robust developer ecosystem, scalability, and integration with Ethereum’s security model.

    Horizen is aligning with a thriving, well-supported technology stack that ensures long-term sustainability, interoperability, and continued innovation. Additionally, Base’s strong backing from Coinbase provides long-term credibility and a clear commitment to ecosystem growth.