The nonprofit organization Ethereum Foundation (EF) has unveiled a new vision for the roles of Layer 1 and rollups. Developers have shifted their focus from scaling to differentiation, as L2 solutions are expected to offer unique features.
1/ How L1 and L2s can build the strongest possible Ethereum
— joshrudolf.eth (@rudolf6_) March 23, 2026
tldr: we should continue to lean into the unique capabilities of each layer, and make sure all users have a clear path to securely and seamlessly benefit from the core properties of Ethereum pic.twitter.com/jUPNscgSix
“Layer 2 solutions should provide users with what the base layer cannot. This could include specialized applications, non-EVM functions, enhanced privacy guarantees, ultra-low latency, or unique pricing mechanics,” the document states.
The Role of Each Layer
Ethereum remains the leading programmable blockchain in terms of adoption, developer attention, decentralization, resilience, and reliability, according to EF. The main network has a clear path to scaling through ZK technologies.
However, this does not mean that the need for L2 solutions will diminish. Foundation representatives believe many of these solutions offer capabilities unavailable on the base layer, such as advanced privacy and ultra-low latency.
The primary focus for Layer 2 now is not scaling, but rather creating unique features, flexible services, proprietary market strategies, and control zones.
“A strong L2 network strengthens the ecosystem and enhances Ethereum's gravitational pull,” the developers noted.
Depending on their needs, Layer 2 solutions can establish different relationships with L1. Those aiming for maximum integration should pursue synchronous composability, interoperability, shared liquidity, full decentralization (Stage 2), and mechanisms like native rollups.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin previously expressed a similar view, suggesting that instead of a single standard, L2 should be viewed as a spectrum of possibilities, urging developers not to duplicate L1 functions.
What EF is Doing
The Ethereum Foundation will continue to invest in technologies that allow L2 to seamlessly extend the core properties of L1 and securely access liquidity and capital. In turn, projects must maintain transparency and verifiability of their security properties.
Key areas of focus for the foundation include:
- Scaling L1 and increasing BLOB throughput without compromising decentralization;
- Supporting L2 solutions that enhance privacy, security, and trust;
- Improving liquidity on the base layer and simplifying access for Layer 2;
- R&D on native rollups that enable L2 to undergo complete and trustless verification on the main network;
- Collaboration with L2Beat to monitor and validate security properties.
The main challenge remains fragmentation, EF stated. The organization intends to work with projects within the ecosystem to improve interoperability and address the issue of disjointed user experiences and development.
“With a clearer vision of the relationship between L1 and L2, we can begin to address the fragmentation of the Ethereum narrative,” the authors concluded.
As a reminder, since June 2025, the number of Layer 2 networks with TVS over $100,000 has decreased from 108 to 100, despite the launch of new protocols.