Vitalik Buterin Says Layer 3s Will not Magically Enhance Throughput

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has re-upped his submit from 1.5 years in the past on “Layer 3s”, saying that L3s received’t magically improve throughput. Nonetheless, they will scale back sure mounted prices related to batch publishing and deposits or withdrawals.

His assertion comes amid considerations that Layer 3 networks are taking away from Ethereum’s worth and safety.

L3 Doesn’t Magically Enhance Throughput

Based on Buterin’s X submit, there are different, probably “lighter” approaches to realize comparable value financial savings as these provided by Layer 3 options.

Nonetheless, there are different, probably “lighter”, methods to get the identical value financial savings that you simply get from L3s. pic.twitter.com/WTijiTAOE1

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) April 2, 2024

In his prior submit, Buterin outlined fashions for Layer 3 options. In considered one of them, Layer 2 is accountable for scaling, whereas Layer 3 focuses on customizing performance. Whereas this doesn’t immediately improve scalability, it permits functions to scale by means of L2s whereas dissecting layers to fulfill particular operational necessities for various use circumstances.

The second mannequin includes Layer 2 scaling for basic functions, with personalized scaling dealt with by Layer 3. This may be achieved by means of rollups, which optimize knowledge codecs for particular functions.

The third mannequin assigns Layer 2 for trustless scaling and Layer 3 for weekly trusted scaling. Right here, Layer 2 focuses on rollups, whereas Layer 3 incorporates Validiums. They make the most of SNARKs for computation verification however depend on a trusted third occasion for knowledge availability. Regardless of having decrease safety ranges, Validiums are cost-effective, as identified by Buterin.

He then stated that he favored the three-layered blockchain mannequin over the two-layered one, highlighting that the previous allows a complete ecosystem to operate inside one rollup. This setup permits for cross-domain actions throughout the ecosystem cost-effectively, eliminating the necessity to bear the costly prices related to Layer 1.

Layer 3 Sparks Controversy

Whereas some advocate for integrating Layer 3 (L3) networks to boost Ethereum’s effectivity and performance, there are considerations amongst others relating to their potential implications for decentralization and community safety.

In a submit on March 31, the Polygon Labs CEO argued that they opted to not develop Layer 3 chains as a result of they had been deemed pointless and detrimental to Ethereum’s worth. He emphasised his perception that Layer 3 networks posed a safety menace to Ethereum, illustrating a state of affairs the place all Layer 3s choose a single Layer 2.

Boiron argued that if Ethereum had been to generate minimal charges and lacked prospects for future earnings, its worth would diminish. Consequently, validators would lose confidence in holding ETH, resulting in decreased community safety.