--- title: "Security Council for Base" description: "Composition, quorum rules, member criteria, and responsibilities of the Security Council that approves Base contract upgrades." source: https://basehub.org/security/security-council/ --- The Security Council for Base is the multi-party group of independent entities and individuals whose signatures are required to approve Base Chain contract upgrades. ## Purpose Base's mission is to build a global onchain economy that increases innovation, creativity, and freedom. That mission is only possible on a decentralized platform. Base is therefore (1) built on Ethereum, the most secure and decentralized L1; (2) built in the [open](https://github.com/base/base); and (3) committed to a clear set of [Neutrality Principles](https://www.coinbase.com/blog/coinbases-neutrality-principles-for-base). As part of the ongoing decentralization roadmap, Base launched [permissionless fault proofs](https://base.mirror.xyz/eOsedW4tm8MU5OhdGK107A9wsn-aU7MAb8f3edgX5Tk) in October 2024, [decentralized control of contract upgrades](https://base.mirror.xyz/tWDMlGp48fF0MeADcLQruUBq1Qxkou4O5x3ax8Rm3jA) via a Security Council in April 2025, and has now reached Stage 1 Decentralization. Reaching **Stage 1** means Base offers stronger security guarantees and fewer trust assumptions. Builders gain infrastructure certainty (no surprise rule changes), and there is no single point of failure — anyone can participate in verifying and securing the network. ## Structure **Composition and quorum** Stage 1 Decentralization requires that the group approving Base Chain contract upgrades contain: - at least 8 participants - a ≥75% quorum - a quorum-blocking group outside the main rollup operator (Base) In addition to Coinbase, the Security Council includes 11 independent entities and individuals from geographically diverse regions. To meet the ≥75% quorum, 9 of the 12 entities (the 11 Security Council members plus Coinbase) must approve any Base upgrade. Upgrades cannot take effect until that quorum signs and approves them. This composition meets all requirements. **Member selection criteria** - Representation across diverse geographic regions and international territories - Strong alignment with [Base's mission and values](https://base.mirror.xyz/jjQnUq_UNTQOk7psnGBFOsShi7FlrRp8xevQUipG_Gk) - Diverse organizations — each member represents a separate entity - Proven track record in the Base and Ethereum ecosystem and good standing in upholding professional and ethical standards in the community - Technical competency and good security practices — completed screening processes including background checks, with demonstrated ability to securely store and use sensitive key material **Current roster** This list stays current with membership. As of February 2026, the Security Council includes the following entities and individuals, based in the listed jurisdictions: - [Entity] Aerodrome — signer based in Japan - [Aerodrome](https://aerodrome.finance/) is a decentralized exchange on Base where users swap, earn rewards, and participate in the onchain economy. - `0xa5959a39cA67b9fb473E4A3A898C611EEAc9CB73` - [Entity] Moonwell — signer based in Brazil - [Moonwell](https://moonwell.fi/) is a decentralized lending and borrowing platform built on Base. - `0x21C7D1e6A81Daca071bA94839ab74C39A25f851F` - [Entity] Blackbird — signer based in USA - [Blackbird](https://www.blackbird.xyz/) is a loyalty and payments platform built specifically for the restaurant industry, powered by Base. - `0xA5657B88A0130a626fcDd6aAA59522373438CdFE` - [Entity] ChainSafe — signer based in Canada - [ChainSafe](https://chainsafe.io/) is a blockchain R&D firm focused on decentralized infrastructure. - `0x1C56A6d2A6Af643cea4E62e72B75B9bDe8d62e2B` - [Entity] Talent Protocol — signer based in Portugal - [Talent Protocol](https://app.talentprotocol.com/) brings professional reputation onchain to help Base builders showcase their skills and get the recognition they deserve. - `0x5ff5C78ff194acc24C22DAaDdE4D639ebF18ACC6` - [Entity] Moshicam — signer based in USA - [Moshicam](https://moshi.cam/) is a community-based photo editing app built on Base. - `0xa8ee754FD1d069fb4B5d652730A0ca5e07a3fb06` - [Individual] Seneca — based in USA - Seneca is the co-founder of [Rounds](https://rounds.wtf/), a social platform that has [powered](https://x.com/jessepollak/status/1781069700652523725) grant distribution to Base builders. - `0x82C80F34C4b5c153dB76122a11AaD2F77C99E766` - [Individual] Juan Suarez — based in USA - Juan is an active member of the Base ecosystem and has advised a number of key Base projects. He is a former member of the Coinbase Legal Team. - `0x99DB5BbA0db16e9aD05e3ff53310683CC3C971D2` - [Individual] Toady Hawk — based in Canada - [Toady Hawk](https://farcaster.xyz/toadyhawk.eth) is the founder of [Zero Rights Media](https://farcaster.xyz/zerorightsmedia), an open-source onchain media org on Base (producers of ZEROPOD), and [The Yellow Collective](https://farcaster.xyz/basedandyellow), an onchain culture club for artists and creators on Base. - `0x0E8A99738a50D523871739c6d676554b0E34252f` - [Individual] Roberto Bayardo — based in USA - [Roberto Bayardo](https://farcaster.xyz/bayardo.eth) is an engineer at Commonware, building a framework for high-performance blockchains. He is a former core Base contributor. - `0x18e982274f8C5B548D5aAc7aBef44D61504e1b3E` - [Individual] Yele Bademosi — based in the UK - [Yele Bademosi](https://x.com/YeleBademosi) is the co-founder of [Onboard](https://www.onboard.xyz/) and a longtime builder in the Base ecosystem, previously founding Bundle and investing in early-stage technology companies via Microtraction. The individual representatives for each entity are not published, to protect personal privacy and improve security. **Member terms** The Security Council for Base operates on a staggered "cohort" model: - Cohort 1 — current term lasts until October 2026 - Cohort 2 — current term lasts until January 2027 ## Roles and responsibilities **Review and approve changes** - Members are notified of proposed upgrades and must verify, approve, and sign them. - Members must verify, approve, and sign role changes (key rotations for lost devices, member rotations, and similar). Any key rotations are designed not to disrupt quorum or security. **Maintain availability and lines of communication** - Be reachable for scheduled signings, coordination calls, and emergencies. - Coordinate with other members to resolve urgent issues. **Preserve key security** - Generate and store key material securely. - Use the keys only for activities directly tied to the Security Council role (upgrades and ownership changes). - Report any suspected loss of access or compromise immediately. - Complete onchain safety and security training at the start of each term. - Participate in periodic liveness checks by signing a message to confirm continued control of the key. **Act in good faith** - Avoid conflicts of interest and disclose any potential conflicts. - Help remove or replace dysfunctional signers without compromising security. ## The future The Security Council for Base is a meaningful step toward a more decentralized, resilient, and secure Base network. Distributing key responsibilities across trusted, independent participants — combined with permissionless fault proofs — reduces reliance on any single entity and strengthens guarantees for users, builders, and the broader ecosystem. This is the start, not the end. As Base evolves, the Security Council's role will be progressively minimized, opening the path to even more trustless infrastructure beyond Stage 1 — Stage 2 — and broader community control. The mission stays the same: build a global onchain economy that empowers innovation, creativity, and freedom on a foundation everyone can rely on. Base is for everyone.