Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has shaken the foundations of the ecosystem this February 3, 2026, by declaring that the rollup-centric roadmap “no longer makes sense.” According to the developer, the original vision of layer-2s as branded extensions of the main network has become obsolete due to unexpected progress in direct layer-1 scalability and the slow decentralization of secondary solutions.
Through a detailed analysis, Buterin emphasized that if a high-throughput network relies on bridges controlled by multisig, then it is not truly scaling the blockchain. This direct criticism suggests that many current platforms have prioritized mass adoption over security values, forcing Ethereum to reclaim control of its own processing capacity through native upgrades.
Restructuring the scalability model on the base layer
The technical evolution of the network has allowed fees to remain low without relying exclusively on intermediaries, weakening the argument for layer-2s as financial lifesavers. On the other hand, Vitalik argues that the main network expects a massive increase in gas limits during 2026, this being the determining factor that allows Ethereum to offer secure and uncensorable block space without the need to fragment its liquidity.
Furthermore, Buterin noted that the path toward full decentralization of rollups has been harder than anticipated, which represents an obstacle for end-user trust. By scaling directly on the base layer, Ethereum ensures that all activity is backed by the full security of the network, preventing users from being trapped in systems with opaque governance or centralized controls that compromise digital sovereignty.
Can layer-2s redefine their value proposition given the new prominence of layer-1?
On the other hand, the developer suggested that secondary networks must evolve into a spectrum of specialized services, such as advanced privacy or extreme low latency, instead of being simple copies of the execution engine. However, for those projects that choose to maintain centralized control for regulatory reasons, Vitalik’s warning is clear: they should not be labeled as Ethereum scaling solutions under current standards.
In this way, the 2026 roadmap marks a return to the core principles of self-sovereignty, representing a strategic shift for the global ecosystem. Consequently, the success of future implementations will depend on transparency and the elimination of intermediaries, ensuring that the infrastructure remains true to its mission of being the ultimate decentralized world computer without sacrificing security for speed.
