L2 Developers Debate with Buterin on Ethereum Scaling

L2 developers debate Buterin's views on Ethereum scaling and evolution.

Representatives of L2 projects have responded to Vitalik Buterin’s statement on the need for a paradigm shift in ecosystem development. Previously, the Ethereum co-founder described the concept of second-layer solutions as outdated.

Buterin noted that the transition of rollups to full decentralization (Stage 2) has proven more complex and slower than anticipated. In his view, Ethereum itself is becoming more efficient, necessitating that these layers find new niches.

Developers of second-layer solutions agreed on the need for evolution but differed on the role of scaling.

Offchain Labs co-founder, developer of Arbitrum, Steven Goldfeder took a firm stance. He insisted on maintaining scaling as a key value of L2.

My thoughts on Vitalik’s post:
🧵

— Steven Goldfeder (@sgoldfed) February 3, 2026

“Arbitrum was not created as an ‘Ethereum service,’ but because Ethereum provides high settlement security,” he emphasized.

Goldfeder refuted the idea that the updated mainnet would replace the throughput of second-layer networks. He cited periods of activity when Arbitrum and Base processed over 1,000 transactions per second, while L1 metrics remained low. The developer warned that if Ethereum becomes “hostile” to rollups, institutional players will start launching their own L1 networks.

Karl Floersch from Optimism Foundation supported the move towards decentralization but acknowledged technical barriers.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

Not a challenge related to drama farmers saying “L2s bad, Ethereum dumb.”

But instead the challenge of creating a modular L2 Stack that supports and enables customization and the full spectrum of decentralization. And you know — we’re already closer to that… https://t.co/s6mDG9KOk8

— karl.floersch.eth (✨🔴_🔴✨) (@karl_dot_tech) February 3, 2026

Among the issues, he highlighted lengthy fund withdrawals, the absence of ready proofs for Stage 2, and a lack of tools for cross-chain applications. Floersch approved the idea of native precompilations in Ethereum to simplify rollup verification.

Base leader Jesse Pollak agreed with the notion that L2 should not merely be “cheap Ethereum.”

it’s great to see ethereum scaling L1 — this is a win for the entire ecosystem.

going forward, L2s can’t just be “ethereum but cheaper.” that’s why from the beginning of base we’ve shown up everyday to onboard new users, developers, and apps, push the technology forward, and do… https://t.co/1Sh2fwJHrY

— jesse.base.eth (@jessepollak) February 3, 2026

According to him, Base focuses on attracting developers and unique features such as account abstraction and privacy.

StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson responded succinctly, hinting that ZK rollups already align with Buterin’s new vision.

I think he just did it again:
Say Starknet without saying Starknet. https://t.co/8cnmucEZhA

— Eli Ben-Sasson | Starknet.io (@EliBenSasson) February 3, 2026

“Say Starknet without saying Starknet,” he wrote on X.

Earlier, on February 1, Buterin introduced a new content creator incentive model based on a combination of DAOs and prediction market mechanics.