Why is Ethereum reconsidering its "rollup-first" strategy in 2026?

For many years, Ethereum (ETH) has prioritized security on the mainnet, while the role of increasing speed and scalability has been delegated to Layer 2 (L2) solutions. The Ethereum ecosystem once viewed L2 as “brand partitions” and as direct extensions of the network.

However, by 2026, this vision no longer accurately reflects the ecosystem’s development. Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum, has acknowledged that Layer 2 is no longer merely a scaling tool.

Major changes, including increasing gas limits and continuous technical upgrades, have improved mainnet performance faster than expected. Meanwhile, many Layer 2 projects face pressure from regulations and business requirements, causing decentralization efforts to slow down or even be abandoned.

These fluctuations have created uncertainty and altered the inherent relationship between Layer 1 and Layer 2 within the Ethereum ecosystem.

Three Major Changes Reshaping the Layer 2 Landscape

In a recent episode of the Unchained podcast, Austin Griffith and Karl Floersch discussed the future of Layer 2, as Vitalik Buterin questioned whether Ethereum’s original expansion vision still fits the current context.

First, Ethereum has already improved its scalability through increasing gas limits and ongoing technical upgrades. These improvements significantly boost network capacity and reduce reliance on Layer 2 to keep transaction costs low. As a result, the essential role of L2 in maintaining affordable transaction prices has diminished considerably.

Second, in recent years, many Layer 2 networks have slowed their journey toward decentralization. Regulatory pressures and business demands have forced some projects to abandon their full decentralization goals. This contradicts the original idea that Layer 2 solutions would reflect Ethereum’s trust and governance mechanisms.

Third, Layer 2 solutions no longer maintain uniform trust levels across the ecosystem. Instead of functioning as a seamless extension of Ethereum, they now exist across a broad spectrum—from networks secured tightly by Ethereum to more independent networks with higher risks.

These changes indicate that Layer 2 is no longer just an extension of Ethereum. Instead, it has become a diverse ecosystem with various roles and priorities, reshaping how the community perceives Ethereum’s expansion strategy.

The Future of Layer 2: Redefining Its Role in the Ethereum Ecosystem

A key question is emerging: What is Layer 2 truly becoming?

According to Karl Floersch, the answer depends on whether we see Ethereum as a technological network or a shared culture. He believes projects like Optimism were initially built to expand Ethereum but have now evolved into independent platforms with their own visions.

Floersch emphasizes:

“Optimism was built to expand Ethereum and push technological boundaries.”

This shows that simply being faster and cheaper is no longer enough. Layer 2 solutions now need to clearly define use cases and deliver superior value to stay competitive. Meanwhile, the main Ethereum network is gradually reclaiming its central role thanks to groundbreaking improvements.

The Ultimate Goal: Redefining the Role of Layer 2

As transaction fees on the mainnet decrease and security remains paramount, more developers are returning to Layer 1. Lower costs, stronger security guarantees, and the rise of AI-based applications are making the mainnet more attractive, especially for applications requiring higher security and speed.

Meanwhile, although Layer 2 networks continue to see strong user growth, the total value of assets they protect is gradually declining. This aligns with recent statements by Vitalik Buterin that Ethereum’s initial “rollup-first” strategy no longer reflects current realities.

Data from L2Beat shows that users increasingly rely on rollup solutions for fast, low-cost transactions. However, the amount of assets protected by Ethereum’s security has decreased significantly.

This widening gap indicates that Layer 2 is gradually shifting toward execution-focused platforms, rather than continuing as large value storage centers. This forces Ethereum to reconsider the long-term role of Layer 2 within its comprehensive development strategy.