Key Points
- Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin announces he will only discuss Layer 2 rollups that achieve “stage 1+” decentralization in public communications starting next year.
- The move aims to promote greater decentralization and security in Layer 2 solutions, pushing the ecosystem towards cryptographic trust rather than relying on “glorified multisigs.”
Buterin’s New Approach to Layer 2 Discussions
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has declared a significant shift in how he will engage with Layer 2 rollups in his public communications. Starting next year, Buterin plans to mention only Layer 2 solutions that have achieved “stage 1+” in decentralization, with a possible short grace period for particularly innovative new projects.
In a statement on social media platform X, Buterin emphasized the seriousness of this decision: “It doesn’t matter if I invested, or if you’re my friend; stage 1 or bust.” This move underscores Buterin’s commitment to promoting decentralization and security within the Ethereum ecosystem, regardless of personal investments or relationships.
Defining “Stage 1+” Decentralization
Buterin outlined specific criteria for what constitutes a “stage 1+” rollup:
- A council must reach a 75% consensus to override the proof system.
- At least 26% of council members must be independent of the rollup team.
These requirements aim to ensure a balance between security and decentralization in Layer 2 networks. Buterin described this as a “very reasonable moderate milestone” and a necessary step in the evolution of Layer 2 security.
The Current State of Layer 2 Decentralization
Currently, most rollup-based Layer 2 blockchains on Ethereum have not yet reached stage 1 decentralization. The optimistic rollup Arbitrum stands as the only exception. However, Buterin noted that several teams working on ZK (Zero-Knowledge) rollups have informed him they are on track to achieve stage 1 status by the end of this year.
Moving Towards Cryptographic Trust
Buterin emphasized the importance of transitioning away from “glorified multisigs” – simpler, less secure systems for Layer 2 rollups – towards a framework built on cryptographic trust. He stated, “The era of rollups being glorified multisigs is coming to an end. The era of cryptographic trust is upon us.”
This push towards greater decentralization and security in Layer 2 solutions reflects the maturing Ethereum ecosystem and the increasing importance of scalability solutions that maintain the network’s core values of decentralization and security.
As the Ethereum community continues to innovate and evolve, Buterin’s new stance on Layer 2 discussions is likely to have a significant impact on the development and adoption of these crucial scaling solutions.
