According to @VitalikButerin, Base operates as an Ethereum Layer 2 that leverages some centralized components for better UX while inheriting security from Ethereum’s decentralized base layer. Source: Vitalik Buterin on X. According to @VitalikButerin, Base is non-custodial under the L2Beat Stage 1 definition, meaning the operator cannot take user funds or block withdrawals. Source: Vitalik Buterin on X and L2Beat. According to @VitalikButerin, traders can verify Base’s security status and ongoing risk metrics on the L2Beat Base project page. Source: L2Beat and Vitalik Buterin on X. According to @VitalikButerin, L2Beat assesses concrete safety properties that protect users from being rugged rather than acting as a compliance authority. Source: Vitalik Buterin on X. According to @VitalikButerin, L2Beat explains that if an L2 shuts down, users can still withdraw to Ethereum L1 without the L2 operator via enforced exit mechanisms. Source: L2Beat on X linked by Vitalik Buterin. According to @VitalikButerin, a real-world example on Soneium shows how L2s mitigate operator censorship of transactions. Source: gauthamzzz on X linked by Vitalik Buterin. According to @VitalikButerin, these non-custodial guarantees and L1-controlled exits are designed to safeguard user funds, a core risk factor for capital deployment on Base and across ETH L2s. Source: Vitalik Buterin on X.