Ethereum's foundational vision for Layer-2 (L2) networks is undergoing a significant re-evaluation, driven by evolving realities within the ecosystem. What was once conceived as a uniform "rollup-centric roadmap" is now being reshaped, leading to a more nuanced understanding of how L2s integrate with the base chain. This shift reflects both the accelerating progress of Ethereum's own scaling capabilities and the slower-than-anticipated decentralization of many L2 solutions.
Diverging Trends Reshape L2 Strategy
The reassessment stems from two converging forces. Firstly, Ethereum's Layer-1 (L1) has made substantial strides in scaling, with consistently low gas fees and plans for significant gas-limit increases in 2026. This progress lessens the L1's previous reliance on L2s solely for block-space capacity. Concurrently, many L2s have struggled to achieve full decentralization, often retaining centralized control over sequencing or upgrades due to regulatory or operational reasons. This dual development prompted Vitalik Buterin to argue that treating all L2s as identical "branded shards" of Ethereum, each bearing the same social and security responsibilities, is no longer practical.
The Widening Gap Between Usage and Value
On-chain data underscores this evolving dynamic. While L2 transaction activity has surged, processing roughly 3,470 user operations per second (UOPS) – a sharp increase from earlier in 2025 – the total value secured (TVS) across these networks has declined by 13.2% year-on-year to $40.3 billion. This divergence suggests that L2s are increasingly utilized for high-volume, low-cost execution and daily transactions, but without a proportional commitment of large capital under Ethereum’s robust security guarantees. Users appear to be viewing L2s more as efficient execution layers rather than primary repositories for significant assets. This re-framing indicates a move towards a more diverse L2 landscape. As Ethereum's base layer continues to scale and absorb demand, the ecosystem is transitioning from a singular, uniform vision for L2s to a varied set of networks, each optimized for distinct trade-offs and specialized use cases. This allows for a more flexible and adaptable ecosystem, better reflecting the varied needs and operational realities of decentralized applications.
