TLDR
- Ethereum L1 active users rose from 7M to 15M while L2 usage dropped 48%
- L2 tokens declined 15–30% in January 2026 amid uncertainty
- Native rollup precompiles to allow secure, protocol-level ZK verification
- Some L2s no longer aim for Stage 2 due to regulatory control needs
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has reevaluated his vision for Layer 2 networks, signaling a major shift in strategy. As Ethereum’s mainnet grows faster, cheaper, and more scalable, Buterin says the network no longer needs L2s to serve as its core scaling method. Instead, he is urging a new direction, built on native rollups and unique L2 functions.
Vitalik Buterin Rethinks Role of Layer 2 in Ethereum’s Scaling Future
Vitalik Buterin has called for a strategic shift in how the Ethereum community approaches Layer 2 development.
In a recent post, he said Ethereum no longer needs L2s to be its primary method of scaling. This follows technical upgrades and gas limit increases that have expanded Layer 1 throughput.
The gas limit increased from 60 million to 80 million in January 2026. This raised the base layer’s capacity for handling transactions and smart contracts while lowering fees. As a result, more users are choosing to transact directly on Ethereum L1.
Layer 2s Face Slower Progress and Centralization Barriers
Many Layer 2 networks have not achieved full trustless integration. Some operators have acknowledged that they may not progress beyond Stage 1.
This is often due to legal and compliance constraints that require centralized control over upgrades or transaction flow.
“If you create a 10,000 TPS EVM where its connection to L1 is mediated by a multisig bridge, then you are not scaling Ethereum,” Buterin stated. His comments were aimed at projects that promote high throughput but lack Ethereum-level security guarantees.
Market Trends Reflect a Return to Ethereum Mainnet
According to TokenTerminal data, monthly active addresses on L2 networks dropped from 58.4 million in mid-2025 to 30 million in February 2026.
Meanwhile, Ethereum’s base layer saw active addresses rise from 7 million to 15 million.
The shift shows that when gas fees fall and security improves, users prefer the mainnet. Former Consensys researcher Max Resnick had previously pushed for scaling Ethereum L1 directly, a view now validated by Buterin’s updated stance.
A New Roadmap Based on Native Rollups and Unique Features
Buterin is now promoting native rollups as a core scaling feature for Ethereum. These are embedded directly in the Ethereum protocol and verified by Ethereum validators. A native rollup precompile would allow secure verification of ZK-EVM proofs and upgrade automatically with Ethereum.
He suggests that L2s should no longer focus only on scaling. Instead, they should offer distinct value, such as privacy-focused virtual machines, application-specific systems, or non-financial use cases like identity and social apps.
“What would I do today if I were an L2?” Buterin asked. “Identify a value add other than scaling.” He emphasized that any L2 managing ETH or Ethereum assets must reach Stage 1 security or be treated as a separate chain. Interoperability with Ethereum is encouraged, even for non-EVM or non-financial platforms.
Community Responds to Ethereum’s Scaling Pivot
The Ethereum community has welcomed Buterin’s remarks. On X, user @fede_intern said, “This is amazing. I’ve always believed in organizations that are truth seeking and accept mistakes. My biggest criticism of Ethereum was that it lacked a feedback loop for acknowledging mistakes and improving decision making. I think this post shows we’re moving in that direction.”
Ryan Sean Adams of Bankless called the post “the pivot,” highlighting a growing focus on strengthening Ethereum’s base layer. L2 token markets have declined in response, with major tokens like Arbitrum and Optimism falling by as much as 30% in January.
As Ethereum’s roadmap continues with zkEVM integration and new infrastructure tools, Layer 2 developers are being asked to rethink their long-term goals. The network’s future now depends on differentiation, trustless design, and integration with a growing Ethereum base layer.
