Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, has introduced a groundbreaking approach to scalability options within the Ethereum ecosystem. In his latest blog post on March 28th, Buterin emphasized the importance of decentralization and scalability as Ethereum enters a new era.
Buterin praises the recent upgrade to the Ethereum network, which enables the use of rollups in layer 2 and significantly reduces fees. He explains that Ethereum is currently transitioning away from layer-1 (L1), which focuses on advancements at the base layer. While progress in L1 has been slow, layer-2 scaling solutions have made significant environmental improvements.
Buterin stresses the need to develop and maintain high-quality projects that can be integrated into the rollups within the Ethereum system. He suggests that these projects should meet certain standards, such as achieving stage 1 decentralization. Stage 1 represents significant progress in security and scalability but does not indicate full decentralization.
Despite the existence of various scaling solutions for Ethereum, none of them have been fully implemented yet. Buterin points out the need for further improvements, including increasing capacity for blobs, reducing storage bloat, and optimizing rollup performance.
He also highlights the importance of proper data sources, sampling methods, and optimization techniques in developing layer-2 solutions. Additionally, he outlines the process of reaching stage 2 decentralization, where rollups rely on underlying codes and intervention is only necessary in case of code discrepancies.
Buterin discusses the current Ethereum roadmap, known as “The Surge,” which focuses on scalability through rollups and state channels. The next phase, called “The Scourge,” will address issues related to censorship resistance, decentralization, and protocol risk.
In conclusion, Buterin encourages developers to take a long-term perspective and design applications that incorporate layer-2 scaling options, user privacy, account abstraction, and community engagement. He emphasizes that Ethereum has evolved from a simple digital currency network to a comprehensive, decentralized technological framework, positioning it as a leading force in the industry.
Vitalik Buterin’s stance on the need for higher standards in layer-2 scaling solutions reinforces Ethereum’s commitment to continuous development while prioritizing scalability and decentralization. As Ethereum progresses, developers are urged to align their projects with the platform’s evolving landscape and leverage innovation and community-driven solutions to keep up with the rapid pace of change.