The top U.S. CEX is merging wallet, trading, payments and messaging into one on‑chain app.
Coinbase’s Ethereum Layer 2 chain Base — now rebranded to Base Chain — rolled out a new feature on Wednesday, July 16, that lets on-chain apps show transaction status in near real time to make them feel more responsive.
Built by Flashbots, Flashblocks introduce “preconfirmation blocks,” which are small sub-blocks issued every 200 milliseconds by the block builder. Base app —which rebranded from Coinbase Wallet yesterday as well — posted on X that the update cuts Base Chain’s block times from two seconds to 200 milliseconds, making it 10 times faster than before.
The update allows on-chain apps to detect whether a transaction is likely to be included in the next full block, giving users quicker feedback without changing how the blockchain settles data.
The Base team noted that the new system is optional, so apps, wallets, and node operators can choose to use Flashblocks or continue operating as they do now.
There are some limits to Flashblocks. For example, transactions requiring large amounts of gas may wait longer for inclusion depending on block capacity, and the system does not prevent failed transactions. Occasionally, early Flashblock data may not fully match the final confirmed block, a situation known as a “reorg.”
Super App
Flashblocks are part of a broader suite of upgrades that were announced during Base Chain’s recent “A New Day One” event yesterday.
Along with the tech update, Coinbase rebranded its non-custodial wallet app, Coinbase Wallet, to Base app. The rebranded product combines a web3 wallet, trading, payments, social media, messaging, and mini apps into one platform.
The idea, as Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has explained to media previously, is to create a “super app” like those popular in Asia, such as WeChat and Alipay, which offer multiple services in a single app.
The Base App also introduces MagicSpend — a tool to pay gas fees using Coinbase balances, plus Base Account for ID verification and Base Pay, a one-click USDC checkout live with Shopify and set to support tap-to-pay in stores by year-end.
Coinbase isn’t the only one chasing the on-chain super-app model. Telegram has also been building out mini-app ecosystem, based on the TON blockchain, giving users access to DeFi, payments, and games directly within the popular messenger.
Meta is also reportedly pursuing similar goals for WhatsApp, with plans to add business payments, shopping mini apps, and AI tools. The social media giant is also reportedly exploring stablecoin support to turn the messaging app into a full-fledged super app.
Last month, Coinbase announced several major updates, including that the CEX would integrate Base-based decentralized exchanges directly within the main Coinbase app.
