Vitalik Buterin Calls for Cross-Layer Interoperability and Decentralization in Ethereum's Growth
In a recent appearance at the BaseCamp Summit on August 1st, Ethereum co-founder and chief scientist Vitalik Buterin emphasized the need for Ethereum developers to strike a balance between the demands of web3 newcomers and seasoned dApp users. Speaking with Jesse Pollak, the creator of Base, Buterin highlighted the significant growth of the Ethereum ecosystem, which now boasts the capacity to support millions of users.
"We are transitioning from small-scale, clunky applications to those capable of being adopted by tens of millions," Buterin stated. "Our goal is to create applications that are user-friendly enough for the general public while upholding the core values of our space."
With the focus shifting from Ethereum's Layer 1 mainnet to its expanding Layer 2 and application ecosystem, Buterin called on developers to cater to crypto users of all experience levels without depending on centralized infrastructure. He stressed the importance of creating applications that welcome newcomers while avoiding over-reliance on centralized entities like Google accounts.
Buterin acknowledged the challenge in designing solutions that appeal to both beginners and advanced users but asserted that achieving this balance is crucial for mass adoption. "We need solutions that work for everyone and facilitate a seamless transition between user skill levels," he said.
He also pointed out the pivotal role that CeFi firms like Coinbase, the company behind Base, can play in helping surface-level crypto users engage with on-chain activities. "There are millions of users buying and holding coins. The big question is, what else can we help these users start doing?" Buterin asked.
Enhancing Cross-Chain Interoperability
Buterin underscored the necessity for developers to minimize the friction in transferring assets and accessing dApps across various Layer 2 networks. "We envision an Ethereum world where Layer 2s feel like an integrated part of Ethereum, not like 34 separate blockchains," he explained.
He championed emerging upgrades like ERC-3370 and ERC-7683, which aim to simplify cross-chain transfers, and urged developers working on account abstraction to focus on enhancing interoperability across Layer 2 networks. "A seamless cross-chain experience is crucial," Buterin emphasized.
Decentralization Milestones
As attention increasingly turns to Layer 2 solutions, Buterin called on developers to prioritize decentralization, reiterating his stance that rollup chains with Stage 0 decentralization should not be considered true "rollups." Stage 0 refers to Layer 2s that rely on centralized mechanisms for state root submission to the Ethereum mainnet.
Buterin outlined the stages of decentralization, with Stage 1 involving "limited training wheels," where a centralized security council can override state root submissions in case of bugs. Stage 2 represents full decentralization, with changes to the state root only possible in the event of a bug and all contract upgrades subject to a 30-day delay.
Pollak confirmed that Base aims to achieve Stage 1 decentralization by 2025, following the recent launch of fault proofs on testnet. "We'll be at Stage 1 with a security council and fault proofs live on mainnet in the coming months," Pollak said.
Buterin also praised Optimism for achieving Stage 1 decentralization with its OP Mainnet in June, highlighting the ongoing efforts within the Ethereum community to enhance security and decentralization.