Vitalik’s Shocking Revelation: L2s Are Not Shards Anymore!

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Vitalik says Ethereum’s scaling and higher gas limits mean L2s no longer act as shards, opening new design possibilities.

Vitalik Buterin, the Ethereum equivalent of a guy who just realized he’s been using the wrong app for his entire life, has decided that L2s aren’t “shards” anymore. Who knew?

He’s basically saying, “Hey, remember when we thought L2s were just fancy extensions of Ethereum? Well, guess what? Ethereum got a raise and now it’s scaling on its own. L2s? They’re just… there. Like a roommate who never pays rent.”

Ethereum Scaling Has Changed at the Base Layer

Ethereum was designed to scale through block space backed by Ethereum’s own security. This is like saying, “I’ll handle the heavy lifting, you just sit there and look important.”

But now? Ethereum’s like, “Nah, I’ve got this.” Fees are low, gas limits are about to skyrocket, and L2s are basically just… spectators. A disappointing ending to a long-awaited sequel.

There have recently been some discussions on the ongoing role of L2s in the Ethereum ecosystem, especially in the face of two facts:

L2s’ progress to stage 2 (and, secondarily, on interop) has been far slower and more difficult than originally expected L1 itself is scaling,…

– vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin)

Buterin’s basically saying, “You know that thing you thought was a solution? It’s not. Ethereum’s got a new plan, and it’s called ‘I’m not a fan of your vibe.’”

He also said that if an L2 is connected via a multisig bridge, it’s not really scaling Ethereum. It’s more like a trust fall with a bunch of strangers. Not ideal.

L2 Progress and Limits of the Original Model

Buterin noted that many L2s have struggled to reach stage two decentralization. Progress on interoperability has also been slower than expected. It’s like watching a toddler try to build a spaceship. Adorable, but not exactly impressive.

Some L2 teams have said they may never move beyond stage one. Because, obviously, why would they? It’s not like Ethereum is scaling or anything.

He said these choices may meet regulatory or business needs. Which is just code for “I don’t want to deal with the chaos of full decentralization.”

In those cases, they should not be treated as Ethereum shards. Because, let’s be honest, they’re not even close.

Buterin said this shift is acceptable because Ethereum itself is scaling. L2s no longer need to meet shard-level guarantees to support network growth. It’s like saying, “You don’t need to be a superhero to be part of the team. Just don’t break the rules.”

A Broader Role for Layer-2 Networks

Buterin said L2s should be seen as a spectrum rather than a single category. Some may be tightly connected to Ethereum security. Others may trade security for features or control. Like a dating app: some people want commitment, others just want to swipe right and forget about it.

He said L2s should offer value beyond scaling. Examples include privacy systems, specialized virtual machines, low-latency execution, or designs for social and identity uses. Basically, “Be more than just a glorified spreadsheet.”

Some may focus on extreme throughput beyond L1 capacity. He added that L2s using ETH should meet at least stage one standards. Otherwise, they function as separate chains with bridges. Clear labeling helps users understand trust assumptions. Because nothing says “trust me” like a bridge made of spaghetti.

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Native Rollups and Future Interoperability

Buterin said Ethereum is moving toward native rollup support. This includes a precompile that verifies zero-knowledge EVM proofs. It’s like giving Ethereum a superpower and then telling it to share.

The precompile would be part of Ethereum itself. He said this design would upgrade with Ethereum. Bugs would be fixed through network upgrades. This removes reliance on external security councils. Because who needs a safety net when you’re already flying?

The approach could support strong interoperability and composability. L2s could extend Ethereum rather than copy it. Buterin said developers should focus on building new systems instead of mirroring L1. Because, let’s face it, L1 is already complicated enough.

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2026-02-04 08:03