Buterin Reframes Ethereum Strategy As Scaling Focus Returns To Base Layer

On 3 Feb, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin stated that the "rollup-centric roadmap" first proposed in 2020 is being reconsidered. The move suggests a shift away from relying on Layer 2 (L2) networks as the primary solution for the blockchain's scalability challenges.

Two emerging realities are driving the reassessment. First, progress toward the full decentralization of L2 networks has been slower than the Ethereum community originally anticipated. Buterin noted that most current L2 projects still operate as "branded shards" - centralized silos that rely on multisig bridges or "training wheels" that have not yet been removed. 

According to recent data, only a handful of the dozens of active rollups have reached Stage 1 decentralization, while Stage 2 remains a distant goal for the majority.

The unexpected scaling of Layer 1

The second driver for this shift is the improved performance of the Ethereum base layer. 

Recent upgrades, including the Fusaka activation on 3 Dec 2025, have significantly increased the network's data capacity. With transaction fees on the mainnet remaining consistently low, the assumption that users would be priced out of the base layer has proven less accurate than forecast.

Developers are now planning further increases to the gas limit, with targets of 80mn per block by the end of 2026. This expansion of the base layer's native capacity reduces the immediate pressure to move all activity onchain to secondary networks. Buterin argued that if a network is connected to Ethereum solely via a multisig bridge, it is not truly "scaling Ethereum" but instead operates as a separate L1 with a bridge.

A specialized future for rollups

Under the new framework, the role of L2s will shift from generic scaling to providing specialized features. 

Buterin suggested that to remain relevant, rollups should focus on value-adds that the base layer cannot provide, such as privacy-focused virtual machines, ultra-low latency sequencing, or non-financial use cases for social networks and AI.

Simultaneously, the technical focus is moving toward native rollup precompiles. These would be integrated directly into the Ethereum base layer, allowing for trustless verification that automatically upgrades alongside the main chain. By prioritizing a "Lean Ethereum" model, the network aims to preserve its core principles of security and self-sovereignty while supporting a broader range of specialized onchain activity.