#EthereumLayer2Rethink?
The Core of the Rethink
Vitalik highlighted two main reasons why the current L2 model needs to change:
**L1 Scaling is Faster than Expected: Ethereum’s Layer 1 is now handling 20–30 transactions per second with fees below 2 gwei. With the upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade (slated to raise gas limits toward 200 million), the mainnet may soon handle up to 10,000 TPS directly, reducing the "desperation" for L2s to provide basic block space.
Slow L2 Decentralization: Only 2 out of over 50 major L2s have reached "Stage 2" decentralization. Many still rely on centralized sequencers or "multisig bridges," which Vitalik argues means they are not truly scaling Ethereum, but are instead separate chains that simply settle on it.
Key Shifts in Strategy
The update redefines what L2s should be and how they should function:
1. From "Branded Shards" to a "Trust Spectrum"
L2s will no longer be seen as uniform extensions. Instead, they will exist on a spectrum:
Deep Integration: Native rollups that fully inherit Ethereum’s security.
Looser Connections: Specialized chains (like those for gaming or social apps) that may prioritize low latency or specific features over maximum decentralization.
2. Specialization Over General Scaling
Since L1 can now handle basic transactions cheaply, L2s must innovate to survive. Vitalik urged L2 teams to focus on:
Privacy enhancements (e.g., ZK-focused privacy).
Low-latency sequencing for high-frequency trading or gaming.
Non-EVM Virtual Machines for specialized computation.
3. Native Rollup Precompiles
A major technical focus is the "Native Rollup Precompile." This would allow Ethereum to verify advanced cryptographic proofs (like zkEVM) directly at the protocol level, potentially leading to "security-council-free" rollups and much smoother interoperability between different chains.
