Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin said the blockchain’s long-standing approach to scaling through layer-2 networks needs a rethink, as Ethereum’s core network grows faster than expected and many secondary chains struggle to meet earlier goals.
In a detailed post, Buterin said two developments have weakened the original case for treating layer-2 networks, or L2s, as extensions of Ethereum itself.
First, progress by L2s toward full decentralisation and security has been “far slower and more difficult” than expected. Second, Ethereum’s main network is now scaling directly, with transaction fees falling sharply and major increases in capacity planned from 2026 onward.
Together, those shifts mean the original vision for L2s “no longer makes sense,” Buterin said, calling for a new framework to define their role in the ecosystem.
From ‘Ethereum Shards’ to Independent Chains
Ethereum’s original roadmap imagined L2s as “branded shards” — tightly integrated networks that would inherit Ethereum’s security and censorship resistance while dramatically increasing transaction capacity.
But that vision has not materialised.
Some L2 developers have openly said they may never move beyond partial decentralisation, citing technical limits or regulatory demands that require retaining control. While that approach may suit certain users, Buterin said it does not align with the goal of scaling Ethereum itself.
“If you are doing this, then you are not scaling Ethereum in the sense originally intended,” he wrote.
Crucially, Buterin argued this is no longer a problem. Ethereum’s base layer is now expanding on its own, reducing reliance on L2s to deliver growth.
Ethereum’s Base Layer Gains Momentum
Rising capacity on the main network, combined with low fees, has weakened the argument that L2s must serve as near-identical replicas of Ethereum. Instead, Buterin said, L2s should be viewed as a broad spectrum — ranging from chains deeply secured by Ethereum to more independent systems with looser connections.
Users, he added, should decide how much trust or integration they require, rather than assuming all L2s offer the same guarantees.
What L2 Developers Should Focus On Now
Buterin urged L2 projects to define their value beyond simple scaling.
Possible directions include specialised features such as privacy tools, ultra-fast transaction processing, non-financial applications like identity or social platforms, and systems designed for workloads that even an expanded Ethereum mainnet cannot efficiently handle.
For L2s that rely on Ethereum-issued assets like ether, Buterin said a minimum level of security integration remains essential. Beyond that, flexibility — not uniformity — should be the goal.
A Push for Stronger Native Integration
On Ethereum’s side, Buterin said he has grown more confident in a proposal known as a “native rollup precompile” — a built-in feature that would allow Ethereum itself to verify advanced cryptographic proofs used by L2s.
Such a tool, he said, would reduce reliance on external security committees, improve trustless interoperability, and make it easier for L2s to build safely while adding unique features.
If flaws emerge, Ethereum would take responsibility for fixing them through network upgrades, bringing trust in the system.
Clear Guarantees, Not Perfect Uniformity
Buterin acknowledged that a more open approach will inevitably lead to some L2s being less secure or more centralised than others. That, he said, is unavoidable in a permissionless ecosystem.
“Our job,” Buterin wrote, “should be to build the strongest Ethereum that we can.”
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