Vitalik Buterin Reframes Ethereum L2s as Specialized Add-Ons as Base Layer Scales in 2026

On 4 February 2026, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin argued that the network’s rapidly scaling base layer is eroding the original idea of layer-2s as mandatory scaling extensions. He now sees many L2s as systems with differing trust and security assumptions, whose future value will lie in specialization and innovation rather than simply providing extra Ethereum block space. Ethereum is also moving toward features like a native rollup precompile to streamline interoperability and reinforce security for L2s that handle ETH and Ethereum-based assets.