How to Choose Between Wallets Optimized for Base and Other Layer 2 Solutions

Wallet Finder

April 28, 2025

Ethereum is great to start with. But its price and slow use can not be ignored. Scaling is often complicated by increased transaction fees and wait times that can be frustrating during high-activity periods.

Layer 2 networks emerged to provide a real solution to most issues of the main Ethereum, especially the high fees and slow transaction speeds. These networks do most of the transaction work off-chain so that it can be speedy and cheaper in usability, but it settles the final result on Ethereum (Layer 1).

Among the newest L2s slowly entering the market, Base was launched by Coinbase and built on the OP Stack. This aims to take Ethereum apps to the wider population without having to pay the costly gas fees. DeFi and NFTs are being used through Base, and a lot of people are looking for the best wallet to use with Base. 

However, not all crypto wallets support Base by default. If they do, it may require extra configuration to optimize the user experience in such Layer 2 networks. 

This blog explains how to choose between wallets optimized for Base and other Layer 2 networks. It further discusses how Wallet Finder.ai helps you track wallet performance across networks, such as Base, to make more informed choices.

What Are Layer 2 Solutions?

Layer 2 extenders are independent sets of networks embedded in Ethereum, which are fast and cheap, but do not replace the use of Ethereum. They work with it.

This is where the problem is.

Ethereum (Ethereum L1) can only handle a few transactions at the same time. In fact, the more the user base, the higher the transaction fees and the slower the network. Thus, it becomes quite expensive and annoying to send tokens or use a DeFi application. 

Layer 2 networks are able to handle off-chain transactions and bring back only the summary figures (or “rollup”) on Ethereum. This causes congestion and transaction costs to be reduced, and great speed is offered.

Some of the best blockchain platforms adapted to this kind of approach are:

Base – It is powered by Coinbase with the OP Stack and is designed for smooth transactions with low fees and easy crypto asset management.

Arbitrum – giving high performance and low gas fees.

Optimism – fast transactions, developer-friendly tools, and runs on similar tech as Base.

Polygon – wide compatibility, supports EVMs and its custom networks. Quite useful for DeFi and NFTs. 

Similarly, when selecting a wallet for Base Layer 2 or any other L2 networks, it is important to get an understanding of the chains supported by the wallet. Also, evaluate how user-friendly it is across the compatible chains and, most importantly, whether it grants a secure access point to assets on those networks.

Why “Base” & How It Differs?

Base, which is a Layer 2 network developed by Coinbase, makes Ethereum a lot cheaper and easier to use. The network is built on the OP Stack, a similar technological substrate for Optimism. However, it has enhanced features for additional speed, security, and usability.  

Base focuses on developers and everyday users since it is easy to use and developer-friendly. This facilitates easy access to decentralized applications with low transaction costs and fast confirmation times.

Key Features of Base

Supported by Coinbase - Implies a strong infrastructure, enhanced reach, and a revered crypto identity in the crypto world. 

Built on the OP Stack - Reliable, secure, and compatible with Ethereum and other OP networks.

User-friendly - Provides a clean user interface, easy crypto asset management, and safe access to newbie and pro users. 

Reasons to Consider a Wallet for Base Layer 2?

● The more popular DApps allow direct access to apps and features without the hassle of switching networks often.

● Growth potential backed and organically supported by Coinbase. 

●  The BASE community is growing fast, and developers race to build tools and integrations for it. 

Base helps you with anything, from managing your Base assets to tracking crypto transactions to checking out the latest DeFi tools, with an efficient but frictionless experience and secure backend. Just ensure you configure your crypto wallet to support the Base network.

Factors to Evaluate in an L2-Optimized Wallet

Not all wallets for Base Layer 2 or any other Layer 2 network will present the same experience. You can find easy-to-use wallets for beginners and hardcore wallets for advanced users. The best wallet for you will depend upon how you treat crypto and the value you attach to trial, security, and flexibility. 

Here is what to keep in mind:

1. Network Compatibility

The important factor is that the wallet should have native support for Base and other Layer 2 networks like Arbitrum, Optimism, and Polygon. 

MetaMask and Trust Wallet allow for custom networks to be added manually, which is somewhat helpful; others may do this natively and thereby deserve a plus. If you are multitasking among various blockchains, then the wallet presents a good experience for multi-chain crypto management on an L2 basis. 

2. Transaction Fees & Speed

When speaking about Layer 2, the essence revolves around efficient transactions. 

Wallets can charge you extra transaction fees when bridging and swapping tokens. Choose a wallet that allows you to bridge funds from Ethereum to Base quickly, as delays in transaction confirmations can be costly in volatile market conditions.

3. User Interface & Ease of Use

An intuitively positioned UI must be another hallmark in a wallet, so you do not have to rummage through endless menus to swap tokens or bridge from Ethereum. The experience should almost feel organic while looking up your Base wallet address, sending funds, or interacting with any Apps.

4. Security Measures

This is quite an important aspect. It will be nice to look at base layer 2 wallets that offer: 

● Advanced security features like two-factor authentication

● Setting up recovery phrase and backup options

● Built-in security features that include phishing protection

● Hardware wallet compatible for extra safekeeping.

5. Ecosystem Integrations

If DeFi apps engage in trading in NFTs or staking on L2, ensure that the wallet in use will easily attach to. Look for wallets compatible with: 

● DEXs on Base and other networks

● NFT platforms

● Tools that help with crypto asset management

The more integrations your wallet supports, the less switching between apps and platforms you will need to do.

Comparing Popular Wallets

There are usually numerous options available when it comes to crypto assets, but most wallets cannot be categorized under one head, especially concerning the Base Layer 2. Some can be used entirely for Base or any other Layer-2 networks, while some are multi-blockchain wallets, which might not catch Layer 2 features. 

Here is a comparison.

1. Native L2 Wallets

Some wallets are built specifically with a focus on Layer 2 networks. These would support natively Base along with built-in bridging tools and better integration for apps based on Base. 

Good wallets focusing on Base Mainnet can include the Coinbase Wallet, which offers an easy interface and links smoothly to the lightning speed Layer 2 network of Coinbase. 

Other features and assets that may be available from these L2-oriented wallets are: 

● Pre-filled custom network info for Base 

● Built-in swaps across compatible chains

● Fast bridging from Ethereum L1 to Base

Such features are good for everyday transactions while allowing an intuitive user experience when it comes to the management of assets across decentralized networks.

2. Multi-Chain Wallets

There are many multi-chain wallets like MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Rabby that support various blockchains. Still, in the case of a custom network like Base, you can add it using only manual methods or through a wallet extension that allows switching between Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain or other blockchain networks.

The best wallet that experienced users prefer is MetaMask browser wallet because it is very flexible in its network setups. Unlike the other wallets, Trust Wallet makes it easier for a non-technical person to understand how to use a crypto wallet from different chains.

However, multiple-chain wallets do not include direct ones having an integration base or internal bridges linked for such purposes. They are custom, but extra work is needed to set them up for most clients who have to manage wallets for Base Layer 2.

3. Custodial vs. Non-Custodial

It is also a matter of deciding if a person wants total control over the wallet or would like to take a simpler option.

Coinbase Wallet (non-custodial from a perspective of ownership) allows users to secure funds without letting their keys be controlled by Coinbase. It also gives access to Base and all the other blockchains, so keeping the recovery phrase private is possible.

Custodial platforms eliminate that problem by holding the keys for you. This makes things slightly easier from the user perspective, but these kinds of platforms always tend to have disadvantages when there are major outages related to access. 

New crypto users probably will feel safer with custodians. On the contrary, non-custodial is better when managing Base wallet funds or trading via decentralized networks.

Practical Steps for Setup & Usage

Adding Base to MetaMask or Other Wallets

When adding Base Mainnet to MetaMask or any kind of multi-chain wallet, do not forget to add the official network details, and don't copy them from anywhere random. Double-check the URLs and chain IDs to avoid being a victim of the fake networks. 

Also, check if the wallet you are using supports a custom network.

Bridging Funds to Base

Take the bridging tool, for instance, the official Base Bridge, and have it transfer funds from Ethereum L1 to Base. This might take transaction charges as well as have waiting time based on congestion in the network. It usually takes a few minutes, depending on the decongestion ratio. 

Crypto wallet analyzer tools such as Wallet Finder.ai can be set up to evaluate a user's activities in the wallet with the "Wallet overview" section for post-bridge purposes, when it comes to tracking a user's profit activities closely. 

Ongoing Maintenance & Security

Always ensure your wallet software is up-to-date and you have a secure backup of your recovery phrase. Remain vigilant against phishing attempts when linking wallets or adding custom networks.

Wallet Finder.ai will keep track of safe, profitable wallets already using Base and other Layer 2s for smarter decision making. Keep track of wallets that continually make profits, filter by a few key stats, and use the scam/risky token filters in the discovery tables to avoid wallets trading in shady tokens. This offers a great start for a wallet backed with data on cleaner trading histories. 

Data-Driven Wallet Selection with Wallet Finder.ai

Picking the right wallet for Base Layer 2 isn’t just about features. It is also about following what works. That is where Wallet Finder.ai makes a big difference.

Monitoring L2 Wallet Performance

Wallet Finder.ai analyzes transaction performance on Base and other Layer 2-based blockchains. An analysis of net profit, number of trades, token success rate, and other variables is offered. Hence, for anyone looking for wallets on Base that are performing better or extremely active on compatible chains, be it Ethereum or Arbitrum, this will help them optimize their decision-making.

Real-Time Insights

You can quickly observe wallets trading newly profitable tokens or carrying out smart strategies across L2s via the Discover Wallets and Discover Trades sections of Wallet Finder.ai. These two sections sort advanced stats such as net profit, potential ATH profit, and alpha percentage to see which wallets more consistently seem to have made the smart move.

You can also analyze each wallet’s full trading history, including every token trade and investment vs. profit performance graph. This helps you understand the outcome and the process. 

Furthermore, after you save wallets to your favorites list, simply enable Telegram alarms to notify you of any trades or swaps carried out by those wallets based on Base Layer 2 or any other networks we support. You can basically keep track of smart trading activity without needing to refresh your screen every other minute.

Filters for Safer Choices

The platform has filters to exclude risky wallets and scam tokens. In the Discover Wallets and Trades sections, make use of the scam/risky filters to exclude dubious wallets, ensuring your view remains focused on trustworthy options.

Wallet Finder.ai takes the guesswork out of exploring wallets for Base Layer 2 by providing you with wallet analytics to work with. Whether you are an advanced user or a novice in the crypto market, transparency and wallet analytics help you manage your assets confidently.

Common Pitfalls & Mistakes

When selecting wallets for Base Layer 2, it is easy to make a few minor mistakes that can give rise to substantial problems, such as:

L2-Only Fees - While using wallets, there may be hidden fees found in bridging/swapping operations. Always check these fees before performing a transaction.

Security Gaps - Custom network information and third-party bridges might open several loopholes in your security. Never trust the source if you cannot validate it.

Confusing Usage - Select wallets that have a simple interface and user-friendly experience, especially when managing assets over multiple platforms.

Key Takeaways

It is important to choose the right wallet for Base Layer 2. They will determine your speed of transactions, the extent of your fees, and your management of crypto assets. Network compatibility, security, and usability will matter in your wallet choice, whether you are just bridging to Base or other Layer 2 networks.

If you're looking for real trading data associated with intelligent decisions and not just guesswork, Wallet Finder.ai is your best choice. It allows you to track high-performing wallets on Base and other L2s, look at the entire trading history of these wallets, filter scams, and early spot profitable moves- all in one platform. 

Wallet Finder.ai will teach you how top wallets trade on Base, identify which tokens are in play, and support strategy decisions based on reality. Just sign up and make stronger tracking decisions.

Smarter trades, made simple.

4.9 Rating based reviews on

"I've tried the beta version of Walletfinder.ai extensively and I was blown away by how you can filter through the data, and the massive profitable wallets available in the filter presets, unbelievably valuable for any trader or copy trader. This is unfair advantage."

Pablo Massa

Experienced DeFi Trader