South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb has initiated a temporary suspension of deposit and withdrawal services for all virtual assets operating on the Base network. This operational pause is driven by a scheduled mainnet upgrade and will commence precisely at 10:00 a.m. UTC on May 28. The restriction applies exclusively to the Base network, a layer-2 blockchain constructed on Ethereum and incubated by Coinbase, while other network channels remain operational. Bithumb has not disclosed a specific resumption timestamp, indicating that normal service flow will only restart once the upgrade concludes and network stability is fully verified. Users are strongly advised to finalize any pending Base network transactions prior to the 10:00 a.m. cutoff to prevent processing delays. Data compiled by Woofun AI shows that such mainnet upgrades are routine yet critical events for blockchain infrastructure, often deploying performance enhancements, security patches, or new functional modules. For Base, which has experienced significant adoption in decentralized finance and token transfer sectors, maintaining network integrity during these transitions is paramount. Exchanges like Bithumb must synchronize their operational windows with these upgrades to guarantee asset safety and ensure accurate ledger reconciliation across the ecosystem.

For Bithumb users holding or actively transacting in Base network assets, this temporary halt implies that any deposits or withdrawals initiated after the deadline will be automatically queued. These queued transactions will remain in a pending state and will only be processed after the upgrade is successfully completed.

Notably, the trading of these assets on the exchange interface itself may continue unaffected, as the suspension targets specifically on-chain transfers rather than internal order book matching. Users should monitor Bithumb's official communication channels for real-time updates regarding the exact timing of service resumption. This scenario is not an isolated incident but reflects a broader industry standard where major exchanges globally suspend services during network upgrades to mitigate the risk of transaction failures or irreversible asset losses. Similar service pauses have been executed on platforms like Binance for networks including Ethereum, Arbitrum, and Optimism, demonstrating a consistent approach to risk management across the sector.

Bithumb's proactive communication strategy aligns with established industry practices designed to minimize user disruption during critical infrastructure maintenance. The temporary suspension of Base network deposits and withdrawals serves as a precautionary measure directly tied to the scheduled mainnet upgrade. While the interruption may introduce short-term inconvenience for users requiring immediate off-chain liquidity, it underscores the exchange's commitment to network security and operational reliability. Woofun AI notes that the decision to halt services proactively prevents potential double-spending issues or ledger desynchronization that could arise from processing transactions during a consensus change. Users are encouraged to plan their transaction schedules accordingly and await further official announcements from Bithumb regarding the restoration of full deposit and withdrawal capabilities. This coordinated approach ensures that the transition remains seamless for the broader market while protecting individual user assets from technical volatility.