'We Need a New Path': Ethereum Founder Vitalik Buterin Rips Up L2-Focused Roadmap
Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum co-founder, stated that Ethereum must move toward reduced reliance on layer-2 scaling networks (L2s). He argues the original vision for L2s no longer holds, citing slow and difficult progress towards full decentralization and interoperability among L2s, alongside significant scaling improvements on Ethereum’s mainnet itself. Buterin warned that many L2s cannot or will not meet Ethereum’s standards for security and decentralization, with some prioritizing regulatory compliance and centralized control over network integrity. He suggests that L2s should not always be considered extensions of Ethereum, but rather evaluated on a spectrum based on how closely they adhere to core Ethereum properties. Buterin calls on developers and users to seek value in L2s beyond just “scaling,” signaling a major shift in how L2s are positioned within the Ethereum ecosystem.
