A base blockchain, also known as a foundational or layer-1 blockchain, is the primary infrastructure layer of a blockchain network. It operates independently and is responsible for maintaining the core ledger, validating transactions, and ensuring network security. Prominent examples of base blockchains include Bitcoin and Ethereum. These blockchains provide the underlying framework upon which various decentralized applications (dApps), smart contracts, and secondary layer solutions (such as layer-2 scaling solutions) can be built. The base blockchain's protocol defines the rules and mechanisms for consensus, transaction processing, and block creation, serving as the backbone for the entire blockchain ecosystem.