Vitalik Buterin Vows to Endorse Only Fully Decentralized Ethereum Layer-2s from 2025 Onwards
Ethereum’s co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, has announced a significant shift in his approach to discussing layer-2 (L2) projects, stating that he will only highlight those he deems on the path to achieving optimal decentralization starting next year. Buterin shared this update with his extensive following on the social media platform X, indicating his intention to exclusively mention L2s at “stage 1” or beyond in 2025, as outlined in a previous blog post detailing decentralization phases.
In a blog post from November 2022 titled “Proposed milestones for rollups taking off training wheels,” Buterin outlined that L2 projects are categorized into stages 0, 1, or 2 concerning decentralization progress. He clarified that “stage 1” necessitates the project to have a functioning fraud-proof or validity-proof structure, along with specific upgrade criteria and multi-sig overrides.
Looking ahead, Buterin emphasized his commitment to exclusively supporting L2s at stage 1, irrespective of personal investments or affiliations within the industry. He expressed enthusiasm for the progress of multiple ZK-rollup teams towards achieving stage 1 status by year-end, underscoring the importance of maintaining caution until robust proof systems are in place. However, he highlighted stage 1 as a reasonable milestone, signaling the transition away from rollups being considered glorified multisigs towards embracing cryptographic trust.
While Buterin has not disclosed specific L2 projects that meet his decentralization criteria, the largest among them is currently Polygon (POL), boasting a market capitalization of $2.67 billion. This strategic shift in Buterin’s approach underscores the growing emphasis on decentralization and cryptographic trust within the Ethereum ecosystem.
It is evident that Buterin’s focus on promoting decentralized L2 solutions reflects a broader industry trend towards enhancing security and trust within blockchain networks. As the crypto space continues to evolve, the prioritization of decentralization and robust proof systems is set to drive innovation and foster greater confidence among participants.
In conclusion, Buterin’s decision to spotlight only decentralized L2 projects underscores the importance of advancing the security and integrity of blockchain technologies, paving the way for a more resilient and trustworthy decentralized ecosystem.
