In a recent post on social media platform X, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has urged the cryptocurrency community to rethink the role of layer-2 networks as the Ethereum mainnet continues to evolve. He highlighted that the initial rollup-centric strategy, which positioned these layer-2 solutions as the primary mechanism for Ethereum’s scalability, has become outdated given the current state of Ethereum’s growth and low transaction fees.
The original vision behind the rollup-centric roadmap aimed to secure layer-2s as essential extensions of the Ethereum network, allowing them to manage most transactions while benefiting from Ethereum’s security. These layer-2s, which include notable networks such as Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base, serve as off-chain solutions designed to enhance transaction speeds and reduce costs on Ethereum’s main network.
Buterin likened Ethereum’s main network to a congested conference hall where getting in can be both slow and costly, with layer-2 networks acting as overflow spaces that facilitate participation without overwhelming the main hall while still remaining linked to it.
However, Buterin observed that two significant developments have challenged the original vision for layer-2 networks. Firstly, the progression towards decentralization among these networks has proven to be more challenging and slower than anticipated. Secondly, the Ethereum mainnet is achieving greater scalability on its own, with transaction fees remaining low and projections of increased gas limits in the coming years.
He emphasized that scaling Ethereum should involve creating “large quantities of block space” that is fully supported by the network’s credibility, highlighting the need for guaranteed validity and security against censorship or reversals. Buterin argued that simply establishing high-throughput chains that connect to Ethereum through multisig-controlled bridges does not constitute true scaling of the Ethereum network. “If you create a 10,000 TPS EVM where its connection to L1 is mediated by a multisig bridge, then you are not scaling Ethereum,” he contended.
Buterin asserted that the necessity for layer-2 networks to act as “branded shards” of Ethereum is no longer valid, given the mainnet’s progress. He pointed out that many layer-2s may not achieve the desired levels of decentralization and security, surmising that some projects may deliberately opt not to advance beyond early stages of decentralization due to regulatory constraints, which may hinder their ability to scale effectively.
In his remarks, he pointed to a project that claimed it might not pursue deeper decentralization because its regulatory obligations required it to maintain ultimate control. While recognizing that such decisions could serve the best interests of those particular customers, Buterin emphasized that these systems should not be labeled as scaled extensions of Ethereum.
Instead, he proposed that layer-2s should be viewed as a range of networks with varying degrees of connection to Ethereum, each offering unique trade-offs. Buterin encouraged these networks to provide added value beyond basic scalability, such as enhanced privacy features, application-specific designs, rapid transaction confirmation, or even non-financial use cases. He also stressed the importance of transparency with users regarding the guarantees each layer-2 network is able to provide.
Buterin’s remarks reflect a pivotal moment in the Ethereum ecosystem, as the community grapples with how best to harness the capabilities of both the mainnet and its layer-2 counterparts to meet evolving demands and market conditions.
