Amid tension within some parts of the Ethereum ecosystem, Vitalik Buterin has outlined proposals for Ethereum’s L1 and L2 scaling, focusing on data throughput and proof systems to address network demands.
In his latest blog post, he described expansions to blob capacity and coordinated interoperability initiatives that aim to simplify cross-chain operations. The post highlighted a plan to balance technical solutions with Ethereum’s social structure, emphasizing that a single chain cannot meet all needs without risking decentralization. Buterin suggested that better security on L2s through multiple proving systems and standardized bridges could ease trust assumptions while allowing different networks to experiment with various virtual machines.
Buterin emphasized the role of “blob” space expansion as an immediate solution for easing layer-2 congestion and suggested that Ethereum’s base layer must accommodate growing data demands. The ecosystem currently processes about three blobs per slot—roughly 210 transactions per second—though updates labeled Pectra and PeerDAS may double or triple this throughput.
He stressed the need for a coordinated roadmap, with staking mechanisms possibly adjusting blob targets to match technical improvements. Buterin also mentioned more experimental concepts, including partial trust assumptions for stakers with fewer resources, though he advised caution with designs that risk undermining Ethereum’s core principles.
He explained that interoperability is a central priority. Rollups function like unique shards controlled by different entities, leading to inconsistent standards for message passing and address formats. This has created fragmentation for developers and users, motivating calls for cross-chain tools that preserve trustless security rather than relying on multisig bridges.
Buterin proposed unified methods for verifying proofs, accelerated deposit and withdrawal times, and chain-specific addresses, including identifiers for each layer-2 environment. Some developers see this approach as a key step toward user-friendly cross-chain navigation, though Buterin stressed that maintaining explicit security guarantees remains critical for all implementations.
Protecting ETH value in the Ethereum ecosystem
The post also addressed economic incentives to reinforce ETH as a triple-point asset, noting that a combination of fee burning on rollups, ongoing data fees from “blobs,” and on-chain revenue from potential maximal extractable value channels could anchor Ethereum’s monetary role.
He said the ecosystem system needs to
“agree broadly to cement ETH as the primary asset of the greater (L1 + L2) Ethereum economy, support applications using ETH as the primary collateral, etc”
He argued that rollups should consider depositing some fees back into Ethereum’s ecosystem, potentially through permanent staking or targeted funding of public goods. He cautioned, however, that fee structures and demand remain uncertain, and no single mechanism guarantees long-term price support for ETH.
Layer-2 adoption and rollups are currently driving ecosystem growth, but Buterin stressed that a complete transition to rollups requires both technical advancements and social coordination. He urged developers to focus on production-ready proof systems, shared sequencing solutions, and standards that unify cross-rollup operations.
He also invited wallet providers to implement new address formats and bridging protocols, explaining that meeting these goals will require direct collaboration between the Ethereum Foundation, client teams, and layer-2 projects.
Buterin’s post concluded with a reminder that Ethereum’s social ethos underpins its technical blueprint, referencing the community’s role in sustaining a decentralized project. He called for direct involvement from all stakeholders, including token holders, who can influence roadmap decisions by engaging in governance and open discussions.
He noted that the network’s evolution depends on balancing scaling capacity, preserving security, and maintaining a cohesive user experience. The final message called for continued collaboration to ensure that Ethereum remains an open platform capable of supporting widely used decentralized applications.
Ethereum Foundation’s Leadership and Financial Moves
The post comes amid community division and an Ethereum Foundation leadership restructuring as it focuses on reinforcing developer collaboration while adhering to core values like decentralization and privacy. Attempting to remain neutral in political matters, the Foundation continues to emphasize its commitment to advancing protocol development without engaging in ideological or lobbying activities.
However, Buterin’s role as a co-founder has been endlessly debated on social media, with some asking for him to become more involved with Ethereum projects and NFT collections while others push for complete neutrality.
The community is pushing a narrative that Ethereum’s success depends on maintaining both a robust L1 and a thriving L2 ecosystem that can accommodate varied use cases. Buterin’s blog underlined the importance of flexible yet trust-minimized systems, calling for L2 adoption that mirrors early visions of Ethereum’s sharded architecture.
He argued that prioritizing blob throughput and shared rollup standards would enable developers to refine DeFi, social applications, enterprise solutions, and more. He also pointed out the need for unified address formats, faster transaction finality, and cross-chain message protocols so users can navigate different L2s without fragmented workflows.
