jakiro
Author: Jun, Bankless; compiled by Deng Tong, Bitchain Vision
Ethereum has been in trouble lately.
Depressed,Critics quickly pointed out that ETH was not as good as SOL, while mainly attributed this to L2’s market share and user churn.
This statement sparked a crucial debate: Is L2 Ethereum?The answer, like most things in cryptocurrencies, is a perfect combination of chaos and simplicity.So let’s take a closer look at both sides of this argument and explore the relationship between Ethereum and L2.
Symbiosis or separation?
From the very beginning, L2 was a core component of Ethereum’s rollup-centered roadmap.They are envisioned as extensions (technology and culture) of Ethereum, designed to expand its capabilities and attract a wider user base.
Essentially, L2 has a deep connection with Ethereum.They share Ethereum’s DNA—rely rely on ETH as a currency, benefit from Ethereum’s security and use it for data storage and settlement.It’s like a startup leveraging its parent company’s infrastructure and brand awareness, which is a win-win for both parties.
The symbiotic relationship between L2s and Ethereum is undeniable.L2s thrives on Ethereum’s infrastructure and security, and Ethereum benefits from the increase in ETH activity and demand, making it a better store of value.
By providing lower fees and faster transaction times, L2s makes it easier for developers to build different types of applications.Look at the explosion of memecoin on Base, or the rise of SocialFi platforms like Farcaster creates new markets for users.
besides,L2s are becoming the main hub of DeFi activity, and asset ETH is at the heart of this ecosystem.Look at these numbers: Arbitrum, Optimism, Base – These chains are dominated by assets related to ETH.
Vampire attack?
However, one of the main arguments against the rollup-centric Ethereum scaling approach is the assumption that L2 may not continue to rely on Ethereum.Of course, L2 and Ethereum look like a happy family now.But what if L2 builds its own empire and abandons Ethereum altogether?No longer relying on Ethereum for security, no longer need ETH as gas, or even block space for Ethereum.
This concern about “L2 out of control” is justified.Technically, they can build a standalone ecosystem with their own validators so they can have the entire modular blockchain stack.So, is this the future—a chaotic breakup between L2 and Ethereum?uncertain.
Creating a new ecosystem or launching another L1 blockchain is a complex and resource-intensive effort.Booting the validator set is a major task, and building a new L1 could lead to the same scalability challenges Ethereum is currently facing.If L2 intends to go these paths, they will most likely have done so from the beginning.
The secret to splitting?
on the contrary,L2 builderPlaying a different game.TheirThe main focus is to scale transactions, attract developers, inspire them to build applications for different use cases and get new users to join cryptocurrencies, while Ethereum deals with security and decentralization issues.
But this does not mean that there are no foreseeable problems in the way the L2 pattern develops.This is a strange paradox.On the one hand, the surge in L2 proves the success of the Rollup-centric roadmap.But on the other hand, this is the root of the division.
We all agree,There may be too many L2.Too many imitators.The differentiation is too small.Just like a thousand startups chasing the same market, they all promise the same thing.This is not healthy.
What we need is the important L2.L2 that offers something unique and unique.Security, application diversity, GTM strategy – these are areas where we need to see real innovation.
Let’s not forget the bigger picture.As Ethereum scales with these L2s, we need to make sure it still feels like Ethereum.We need to avoid falling into the trap of division, and everyone is working in their own direction.
L2 requires seamless connection.The team is launching a technology stack to develop a unified chain network that shares resources and provides users with a more seamless and faster experience – Superchain, AggLayer, Elastic Chain, Orbit Chains are all promising moves in this direction.
But we must be alert to the “echo room”.These chain zones should not become isolated universes.A healthy L2 ecosystem is an ecosystem that works in a chain rather than in isolation.We need bridges, not moats.
We need to cooperate.We need communication.We need education.We need motivation.We need to establish shared infrastructure and standards to facilitate seamless connections between L2.Only in this way can we truly win-win.
Summarize
You can say that L2 is not Ethereum.You can argue that L2 is not even an extension of Ethereum.But you can’t deny that L2 enhances the practicality of Ethereum and ETH.
The dispute over “L2 and Ethereum” is a wrong dichotomy.This is not a zero-sum game.Ultimately, Ethereum and L2 are in the same boat.Let’s build a future where Ethereum and L2 are thriving as a symbiotic whole and push the crypto ecosystem forward.
