Questioning the slow progress of "decentralization"! "V God" calls for a redefinition of the value of Layer2

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently offered rare and straightforward reflections on the role of Layer 2 scaling networks. He pointed out that as the Ethereum mainnet continues to scale and transaction costs remain low, the previous roadmap centered around Rollups and viewing Layer 2 as Ethereum’s scaling engine is now “no longer applicable.” In the past, the market generally expected Layer 2 to serve as a “safety extension” of the mainnet, handling most transactions while inheriting the security of the Ethereum mainnet, similar to officially certified “brand sharding.” But now, it seems this script can no longer be played out.

Layer 2 networks (such as Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base) were originally intended to process transactions off-chain and then bundle them back to the Ethereum mainnet (Layer 1) to improve transaction speed and reduce fees. However, Vitalik Buterin believes there are two major realities that have dealt a blow to this vision: first, the progress of decentralization in many Layer 2 solutions has been much slower and more difficult than expected; second, the Ethereum mainnet itself is rapidly scaling, with transaction fees remaining low and a significant increase in Gas limits expected by 2026. Vitalik Buterin states that true “Ethereum expansion” should involve creating “a large amount of block space fully secured by Ethereum’s trust and reputation.” As long as the Ethereum mainnet continues to operate normally, all on-chain activities can be guaranteed to be valid, censorship-resistant, non-reversible, and free from arbitrary interference. Vitalik Buterin wrote, “If you build an EVM-compatible chain capable of processing 10,000 transactions per second (10,000 TPS), but its connection to the Ethereum mainnet is maintained via multisig bridges, then you are not truly expanding Ethereum.” In Vitalik Buterin’s view, as the mainnet continues to upgrade itself, Ethereum no longer needs Layer 2 to serve as an “official sharding” role. He also openly admits that many Layer 2 solutions “either cannot or are not willing” to meet the decentralization and security standards originally required by Ethereum. He cited an example: some projects, to meet client compliance requirements, must retain “ultimate control.” Vitalik Buterin pointed out that while this may be the right business decision for the clients, teams should no longer claim they are “expanding Ethereum.”