Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin is throwing a tantrum, demanding Layer 2 networks rethink their entire existence. He’s basically saying, “You’re not the cool kids anymore, and also, your parents are disappointed.”
Meanwhile, Ethereum’s base network is flexing its muscles, handling transactions so smoothly it’s like the blockchain version of a spa day. Transaction fees? At record lows. Gas limits? Rising like a phoenix. It’s basically the 2026 equivalent of “I’m not lazy, I’m just conserving energy.”
Layer 2’s Original Purpose Fades
Buterin’s post reads like a breakup letter. “Remember when we thought Layer 2s would be the future? Well, that’s not happening. Also, your security is worse than my ex’s emotional maturity.”
TokenTerminal data shows Layer 2 users dropped like a bad TikTok trend. Meanwhile, Ethereum’s mainnet is getting all the attention. It’s like the popular kid at school suddenly deciding they’re not into popularity anymore.
Buterin also notes some Layer 2 operators are more interested in “regulatory needs” than trustless systems. Which is basically saying, “We’d rather be bureaucrats than pioneers.”
Market Adjusts to Uncertainty
The market’s response? A collective eye-roll and a 15% haircut. Top Layer 2 tokens are now the financial equivalent of a deflated balloon. “We’re not dead yet, but we’re definitely not alive either.”
But here’s the kicker: users are choosing Ethereum’s mainnet because it’s secure, fast, and free. Who knew? It’s like realizing your mom’s lasagna is actually better than that fancy restaurant you went to last week.
Vitalik Buterin’s Roadmap for Layer 2
Buterin’s new plan? Let’s just make sure we’re not just scaling for the sake of scaling. “What if we added privacy? Or made it work for social media? Or just… stopped being a scam?”
“What would I do today if I were an L2? Identify a value add other than ‘scaling’. Examples: non-EVM specialized features/VMs around privacy, efficiency specialized around a particular application, truly extreme levels of scaling that even a greatly expanded L1 will not do, a totally different design for non-financial applications, eg. social, identity, AI.”
Buterin insists Layer 2s must be secure. Otherwise, they’re just “island nations with bridge loans.”
And yes, he’s still a fan of interoperability. Which, in layman’s terms, means “let’s all hold hands and pretend we’re not competing.”
So, as Ethereum’s base layer keeps growing, Layer 2s have a choice: become relevant or become the blockchain version of a forgotten meme.
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2026-02-04 08:35