Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has voiced strong concerns regarding the lack of originality within the Layer-2 and blockchain scaling sectors. In a recent blog post, Buterin called attention to the trend of launching nearly identical networks based on Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) technology, emphasizing the urgent need for genuine innovation within the blockchain community.
Buterin highlighted the current environment’s reliance on redundant EVM chains, particularly those that feature optimistic bridging to Ethereum. He likened this situation to the repetitive forked protocols that characterized the early DeFi governance era, where a lack of imagination stunted infrastructure development. He believes that the industry must move beyond this “copy-paste” mentality to foster new ideas and solutions.
According to Buterin, the ecosystem is already witnessing significant enhancements to Ethereum’s base layer, which will enhance its capacity to support a diverse range of applications. He maintained that while the growth in EVM-compatible blockspace may not be infinite, it is robust enough to accommodate various uses.
Moreover, Buterin encouraged developers to pursue innovations that introduce genuinely novel capabilities, specifically mentioning areas like privacy-preserving architectures and application-specific performance optimizations. He voiced his disapproval of projects that superficially connect to Ethereum for mere marketing purposes, arguing that transparency is crucial when describing these associations.
In addition to his critiques, Buterin has expressed his concerns about governance within the Ethereum network, advocating for a shift towards more structured decision-making processes over informal, sentiment-driven governance methods.
Buterin is currently collaborating with early Ethereum contributors to initiate a new security project. This initiative aims to mobilize $220 million in dormant funds—locked since the infamous DAO hack in 2016—into a dedicated security fund, showcasing his commitment to enhancing the ecosystem’s resilience and security.
Buterin’s critiques and initiatives highlight a pivotal moment in the Ethereum community as it seeks to embrace innovation and accountability while steering away from redundancy and superficial connections.