Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has posted fresh thoughts on the evolving role of Layer 2 networks, suggesting the original rollup-centric vision may need updating as Ethereum’s base layer scales faster than expected.
In his message on X, Buterin pointed to two developments that are changing the context around Ethereum scaling. First, progress toward “stage 2” rollups, systems that remove trusted intermediaries and rely fully on decentralised proof mechanisms, has been slower and more difficult than many in the ecosystem initially assumed. Second, Ethereum’s Layer 1 itself has been scaling, with fees now sitting at relatively low levels compared with previous cycles, and gas limit increases projected into 2026.
Taken together, Buterin argued these realities mean Ethereum no longer needs Layer 2s to function as “branded shards”, the earlier idea that rollups would effectively serve as extensions of Ethereum’s own security and settlement layer. He suggested that many L2s have not moved far enough toward the trustless guarantees that model would require, and in some cases may not even want to, particularly where regulatory or operational control is a priority for certain users or institutions.
Instead, Buterin proposed viewing Layer 2s as a broad spectrum. Some may remain closely tied to Ethereum with strong security assumptions, while others may operate with looser connections, offering different trade-offs depending on what users actually need. In this framing, L2s are not automatically “scaling Ethereum” in the strict sense, but can still play valuable roles.
He also offered a practical challenge to L2 builders: if scaling alone is no longer the defining value proposition, then rollups and related networks should focus on what else they can uniquely provide. That could include privacy-focused environments, specialised virtual machines, application-specific efficiency, ultra-low latency execution, or non-financial use cases such as social platforms, identity systems, or AI-related infrastructure.
On the Ethereum protocol side, Buterin highlighted growing interest in a concept known as the native rollup precompile. This would involve Ethereum directly supporting verification of ZK-EVM proofs at the protocol level, potentially reducing reliance on external security councils and making interoperability between Ethereum and rollups stronger and more seamless. Supporters see this as one possible way to improve composability across chains, though the technical complexity remains substantial.
The post drew responses from several figures across the crypto space, reflecting different interpretations of what the shift means.
Justin Bons, founder and CIO of Cyber Capital, said it was “refreshing” to see this acknowledgement after years of criticism aimed at Ethereum’s reliance on Layer 2 scaling narratives. However, he argued that the technical execution still falls short, suggesting that a full ZK-EVM is likely “at least 4 years out” from competing with networks like Solana on capacity today. Bons also questioned whether the design trade-offs are worthwhile, saying ZK-EVM systems tend to sacrifice speed in ways that could limit competitiveness against newer high-throughput chains.
Itamar, co-founder and CEO of Ready, reacted with more optimism, calling the post an encouraging sign that Ethereum’s throughput direction is becoming clearer. He added that scaling is not only about cost, but also about user experience, arguing that if Ethereum wants retail activity to return to Layer 1, faster confirmations will matter. In his view, the network needs to move toward “sub-1s” responsiveness, because “4 to 12s just won’t cut it” for users accustomed to instant feedback in mainstream applications.
Jade Truong, founder of Golden Sea Studio, offered a more sceptical note. While she said she understood the reasoning, she felt the reframing sounded “a bit too clean and optimistic” compared with the reality many users experienced. She pointed out that numerous Layer 2s were marketed with strong Ethereum-grade guarantees implied, and warned that shifting the narrative now risks “rewriting history” rather than directly owning the mismatch between early promises and outcomes.
Joshuwa Roomsburg, CEO of ChainLeak, described the post as “a quiet reset”, suggesting that as Ethereum scales more directly on Layer 1, Layer 2 networks will need to define their purpose more clearly. In his view, interoperability without strong guarantees was never the end goal, and if Ethereum continues scaling natively, then L2s will have to “earn their place” through distinct value rather than inherited trust.
Bobby, a cloud foundation commentator, also welcomed Buterin’s directness, saying he appreciated Vitalik “actually saying this” openly, after years of tension and uncertainty around how rollups fit into Ethereum’s long-term roadmap.
Buterin’s post does not suggest Ethereum is abandoning Layer 2 development. Instead, it reflects a shift in emphasis: Ethereum’s base layer is improving faster than expected, and Layer 2 networks may increasingly be judged by specialisation, security guarantees, and what they uniquely add, rather than by scaling narratives alone.
As Ethereum moves into its next phase of capacity upgrades and protocol development, the relationship between Layer 1 and Layer 2 appears set to become less about hierarchy and more about choice, trade-offs, and clarity around what each system is designed to do.
