When you read the documentation for a new Layer 2 project, they always advertise things like Security inherited from Ethereum, Decentralized, and Trustless. But the truth is, 90% of current Layer 2 systems are still centralized. To protect users from these lies, researchers have proposed a 3 Stage scale to assess the maturity level of an L2.
🔸 Stage 0 Most newly launched L2s are here.
Characteristics:
The project calls itself a Rollup, but the proof system might not be active or fully functional yet.
All assets in the Bridge are controlled by a small group usually the Dev team or investors.
They can upgrade Smart Contracts instantly, change the rules, or in the worst case scenario is Freeze or drain user funds.
👉 You are trusting human morals, not Code.
🔸 Stage 1 A few major L2s are here.
Characteristics:
The Fraud/Validity Proof system must be functional.
A Multisig group still exists, but their power is limited. They can only intervene if a critical Bug is detected in the proof code.
System upgrades must be announced in advance to give users time to exit if they disagree.
🔸 Stage 2 The final goal. No major general purpose L2 has fully achieved this yet.
Characteristics:
Fully Decentralized. No group of humans, no Multisig can override the system.
If the Code has a Bug, the system follows the Bug or halts. Fixing it requires broad community consensus (DAO) with a long delay.
👉Absolute Security.You trust no one. You only trust math and cryptography.
🔹 Do not listen to what projects say; If a project holds $1 Billion TVL but is still at Stage 0, it is a ticking time bomb if the dev team goes rogue.
Did you know that the money you are Farming on L2 is effectively in the hands of 5 to 7 people holding Multisig keys, and they could technically take it at any time?
News is for reference, not investment advice. Please read carefully before making a decision.
