In a recent post, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said the original plan for Layer 2 networks (L2s) no longer reflects Ethereum’s current direction. L2s were once seen as “branded shards” – separate blockchains that process transactions but rely on Ethereum’s security. This idea formed the basis of Ethereum’s rollup-centric roadmap in 2020.
But Buterin now argues that Ethereum’s base layer (L1) is scaling faster than expected. At the same time, progress toward full L2 decentralization has been slower and more difficult than originally assumed. These two developments, he says, mean Ethereum must rethink the role of L2s.
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Decentralization Remains Limited
Most L2 networks are still far from reaching what Buterin calls Stage 2 decentralization – where the system runs entirely without trust in any central party. Many still rely on multisig bridges or upgrade councils. Some teams have stated they may never reach full decentralization, citing technical or regulatory reasons.
According to Buterin, this limits their role as scaling solutions. If a rollup does not meet at least Stage 1 decentralization and still manages ETH or Ethereum-based assets, it should be treated as a separate chain with a bridge, not as a Layer 2.
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Ethereum Is Scaling on Its Own
Buterin points to falling fees and upcoming gas limit increases as signs that Ethereum itself is scaling effectively. This reduces the need to outsource execution to L2s. He suggests Ethereum’s development path is shifting toward strengthening the base layer directly.
He also supports building a native rollup verification module – a so-called precompile – that would allow Ethereum to verify zkEVM proofs without relying on external governance. This could improve security and interoperability between Ethereum and rollups.
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New Role for L2s
Rather than positioning L2s as uniform scaling tools, Buterin proposes a broader view: L2s as a spectrum of blockchain projects with varying levels of Ethereum integration. He suggests L2s should focus on areas beyond general-purpose scaling – such as privacy, low-latency applications, app-specific designs, or non-financial use cases.
From Ethereum’s perspective, the priority is to make users aware of what guarantees each L2 provides. This includes clarifying trust assumptions, decentralization status, and the extent to which Ethereum’s security is inherited.
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Conclusion
Buterin’s post signals a shift in Ethereum’s roadmap. As the base layer improves and L2s follow different goals, the ecosystem is moving away from treating rollups as extensions of Ethereum. Instead, each L2 will need to define its own purpose and technical direction.
