Taiko is the first based rollup on Ethereum, pioneering a new approach to Layer 2 scaling that preserves Ethereum's core values of decentralization, censorship resistance, and liveness. Unlike traditional rollups that rely on centralized sequencers, Taiko uses based sequencing where Ethereum validators directly sequence L2 blocks, maintaining complete decentralization across the stack. As groundbreaking architecture entered uncharted territory, Taiko required security expertise embedded from the earliest design phases.
Building the first based rollup introduced security challenges that no audit firm had encountered before. Taiko wasn't just implementing known patterns, they were inventing new mechanisms that would define an entirely new category of Layer 2 solutions.
The protocol faced unprecedented requirements:
Taiko required a security partner who could collaborate during protocol design, validate novel mechanisms before implementation, and support continuous innovation as the first based rollup evolved.
Since early 2025, OpenZeppelin has partnered with Taiko as an embedded security advisor, working directly with their engineering team from protocol design through production releases. This design-first approach enables security validation when architectural decisions have maximum impact, before code is written.
Our collaboration began during Taiko's early research into based rollup mechanics, decentralized sequencing, and preconfirmation systems, providing security guidance that shaped the protocol's foundations.
Taiko's pioneering based sequencing required specialized research to validate novel mechanisms where no established patterns existed. OpenZeppelin's research team collaborated with Taiko to develop and formalize new primitives for based rollups, including published research on preemptive provable assertions that enable L2 users to rely on assertions about future state.
This research-driven collaboration validated the security of innovative systems and contributed foundational work to the broader Ethereum research community, giving Taiko confidence to ship features that other Layer 2s had considered too risky.
OpenZeppelin audited multiple versions of the Taiko protocol as it evolved through major upgrades. These audits uncovered critical and high severity vulnerabilities that enabled Taiko to strengthen the protocol's security before key releases.
113 total issues identified across 3 audits since early 2025, securing every critical component of Taiko's based rollup architecture:
OpenZeppelin's design-phase partnership enabled Taiko to pioneer based rollup technology while maintaining strong security guarantees. Early involvement during protocol design identified systemic issues when changes were straightforward, while applied research validated novel mechanisms and contributed foundational work to the broader Ethereum ecosystem.
Our ongoing partnership continues to support Taiko's ambitious roadmap, including Gwyneth's upcoming launch, fully decentralized preconfirmations, and continued innovation in based sequencing technology.
OpenZeppelin's design-phase security partnership has been fundamental to Taiko's success as Ethereum's first based rollup. Through early design reviews, applied research on novel mechanisms, and 3 comprehensive audits, we've secured Taiko's pioneering architecture from initial concept through production, identifying 113 issues including 13 critical and high vulnerabilities while enabling the protocol to innovate with confidence.