The Ethereum layer-2 ecosystem is continuously evolving with various technological approaches, according to Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum. In a recent blog post, Buterin discussed the current landscape of Ethereum’s scaling ecosystem and highlighted the different layer-2 protocols that are being developed to enhance scalability, lower costs, and improve security.
Buterin specifically mentioned the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) rollups pioneered by projects like Arbitrum, Optimism, Scroll, Kakarot, and Taiko. These rollups have significantly improved the security of their solutions. Additionally, sidechain projects like Polygon have also developed their own rollup solutions.
The co-founder noted the emergence of “almost-EVMs” like zkSync and extensions like Arbitrum Stylus, as well as zero-knowledge proof pioneers Starknet, as important players driving scaling technology for the Ethereum ecosystem. This diversity in layer-2 projects is leading to a more heterogeneous landscape, which Buterin expects to continue.
Moreover, Buterin discussed the transition of some projects from independent layer 1 chains to becoming part of the Ethereum ecosystem as layer 2 solutions. However, this transition is challenging due to the current limitations of technology. It is not yet possible to completely include the projects in rollup technology in an “all at once” approach. Delaying the transition could risk losing momentum and becoming too late to be meaningful.
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Furthermore, Buterin mentioned centralized non-Ethereum projects that are seeking blockchain-based solutions to provide users with greater security assurances. These projects traditionally relied on “permissioned consortium chains” but are now exploring the potential of blockchain technology.
Buterin also addressed non-financial applications like games and social media platforms that aim to be decentralized but do not require high levels of security. In such cases, different parts of the applications would have varying security needs. For example, activities like username registration and account recovery might require the security of a rollup, while frequent and low-value activities like posts and votes would require less security. This approach prioritizes security where it’s most needed while accepting lower security for less critical functions.
In terms of costs, Buterin highlighted that paying for rollup fees might not be acceptable for non-blockchain users who are not accustomed to such costs. However, previous blockchain users are accustomed to paying higher prices for on-chain interactions.
Buterin also discussed the trade-offs between different rollup solutions and their scaling capabilities. The security of withdrawing to Ethereum from layer 2s and the security of reading data from the Ethereum blockchain are crucial factors in determining the connectedness to Ethereum. Depending on the application, a tighter or looser coupling with Ethereum may be optimal.
Looking ahead, Ethereum’s next scheduled hard fork is set to introduce EIP-4844, also known as “proto-dank sharding,” which aims to increase the data availability of the network. Buterin also mentioned improvements in data compression that enable greater functionality.
Overall, Buterin’s analysis of the Ethereum layer-2 ecosystem highlights the diverse technological approaches being explored to improve scalability, lower costs, and enhance security. The continuous evolution of the ecosystem is driven by various layer-2 protocols, rollup solutions, and different project requirements.
