From 'Ethereum’s sidekick' to standalone stars: How Vitalik Buterin’s latest pivot is forcing Layer 2s to grow up

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently questioned the continued necessity of a dedicated Layer 2 roadmap as Ethereum itself becomes faster and cheaper, prompting a shift in how Layer 2 networks market themselves. Previously, networks like Arbitrum and Base often branded themselves as extensions of Ethereum, but following Buterin's remarks, leaders are now emphasizing that rollups are distinct entities, not just "Ethereum but cheaper." Ecosystem leaders view this moment not as an existential threat, but as a necessary evolution forcing them to clarify their purpose and build unique blockspace tailored for specific use cases beyond mere scaling. Figures like Jesse Pollak of Base and Marc Boiron of Polygon stress that L2s must offer unique utility, while Jing Wang of the Optimism Foundation compares them to independent websites utilizing Ethereum as an open settlement standard, suggesting a future where L2s flourish independently.

(Source：CoinDesk)