Vitalik Buterin unveils Ethereum roadmap for Layer 2 scaling

Vitalik Buterin has introduced a new roadmap for Ethereum (CRYPTO:ETH), focusing on enhancing the scalability, security, and finality of Layer 2 (L2) solutions.  

The plan includes a “2-of-3” proof model that uses optimistic, zero-knowledge (ZK), and trusted execution environment (TEE) provers to finalise transactions.  

This approach minimises risks tied to single-proof systems while balancing speed, robustness, and decentralisation.  

Buterin emphasised the importance of diversification in L2 technologies, warning that shared code among ZK rollups could propagate bugs across implementations.  

“This means that the finality of rollups can be as fast as zk proving (~<1hr for now) while protecting the system from soundness bugs in the zk system,” explained Wei Dai, a research partner at 1kxnetwork.  

The roadmap also outlines requirements for “Stage 2 rollups,” which aim to deliver near-instant confirmations, high finality, and strong resistance to failures.  

These rollups will adhere to Ethereum’s 30-day upgrade delay rule to ensure network stability during transitions.  

Beyond technical improvements, Buterin advocates shifting from public goods funding to open-source funding to better support impactful development.  

He argued that the term “public goods” is vulnerable to social bias and often prioritises perception over genuine value creation.  

“A big part of the reason why the term ‘public good’ is vulnerable to social gaming is precisely the fact that the definition of ‘public good’ is stretched so easily,” Buterin noted.  

Open-source funding emphasises transparency and collaboration while focusing on tools that create maximum value for humanity.  

Together, these initiatives aim to reinforce Ethereum’s decentralisation and resilience while promoting sustainable funding practices.  

At the time of reporting, the Ethereum price was $1,819.65.