Ethereum Layer 2s Set Sights on 'Stage 2' Full Decentralization
Summary:
Several Ethereum layer 2s (L2s) teams anticipate full decentralization of their networks within the next few years. While certain improvements delayed this goal previously, progress is now being made. Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin’s "Stage 2" decentralization, which would make these networks almost impervious to censorship, is expected soon. However, opinions vary with some network heads marking full decentralization as a distant goal, citing issues like token-voting systems and lack of genuine demand for greater decentralization.
Ethereum layer 2s (L2s) are expected to achieve full decentralization in the coming years, numerous teams have indicated to Cointelegraph. Various considerations, such as user experience enhancements and security considerations, have so far hindered the pursuit of decentralization. However, according to these teams, strides are now being made towards decentralizing these networks, with "Stage 2" anticipated to be reached soon. This stage, defined as the final stage of Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin’s decentralization milestones, also known as "full decentralization", is expected to make these networks nearly resistant to censorship. Ethereum L2s are designed as networks to enhance Ethereum’s scalability by processing its transactions on separate networks.
The founder of Linea, Nicolas Liochon, shared with Cointelegraph that he expects most L2s to achieve Stage 2 decentralization in the next few years. He stated that upgrades prioritized for improving user experience and security are now implemented, opening up the path towards Stage 2. According to Liochon, in the coming months, new decentralization features will be tested on a testnet. Similarly, Anthony Rose, the CTO of zkSync developer Matter Labs, anticipates the major L2s to reach Stage 2 within the next two to three years, suggesting that we will eventually see a smaller number of larger networks made up of individual chains that are completely decentralized.
However, it's not a parity of views among all network heads. Kevin Liu, co-founder of Metis, believes full decentralization is still far off. Liu contends that because most L2s depend significantly on token-voting systems, they face a challenge due to control usually falling into the hands of large token holders. Vince Yang, CEO of layer 3 network zkLink, underlines the challenge of decentralization due to lack of practical demand for greater decentralization, considering L2's already inherit security from Ethereum.
Vitalik Buterin's "stages" of decentralization roadmap suggests layer-2 rollups could operate under centralized control initially with a commitment to pursuing decentralization gradually. These stages are identified as Zero, One, and Two, each representing different levels of decentralization based on established criteria.
The controversy about the rate of decentralization among layer 2s ignited following an event where the Linea team successfully executed a pause and withdrawal, leading to a censorship of a user's address. The delayed decentralization has raised concerns, although Buterin himself argues that rollups should, at the least, progress to Stage 1 by year-end, or they shouldn't be regarded as rollups.
Published At
6/27/2024 4:05:00 PM
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