{"id":22638,"date":"2025-04-02T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/native-rollups-what-they-are-and-how-they-could-bring-money-back-to-ethereum\/"},"modified":"2025-04-02T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T09:00:00","slug":"native-rollups-what-they-are-and-how-they-could-bring-money-back-to-ethereum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/native-rollups-what-they-are-and-how-they-could-bring-money-back-to-ethereum\/","title":{"rendered":"Native rollups: what they are and how they could bring money back to Ethereum"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Layer-2 (L2) solutions offer relatively fast and cheap Web3 interactions and <a href=\"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/news\/vitalik-buterin-confirms-ethereums-focus-on-l2-scaling-solutions\">remain<\/a> a cornerstone of Ethereum\u2019s scaling. Yet they raise UX demands, strain the economics of the second-largest cryptocurrency and complicate life for developers. The latter must build and maintain their own proof systems, rely on a rollup security council and manually apply changes after network upgrades.<\/p>\n<p>A potential answer is the idea of native rollups\u2014those synchronised with Ethereum from the outset and relying on base-layer security. ForkLog explores how they work and what the new technology could do for the ecosystem.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From based to native<\/h2>\n<p>In March 2023 leading Ethereum developer Justin Drake <a href=\"https:\/\/ethresear.ch\/t\/based-rollups-superpowers-from-l1-sequencing\/15016\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">proposed<\/a> boosting network decentralisation by adopting based rollups. The idea is to put all validators to work, limiting reliance on off-chain mechanisms. Vitalik Buterin <a href=\"https:\/\/vitalik.eth.limo\/general\/2021\/01\/05\/rollup.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">first outlined<\/a> the concept in 2021.<\/p>\n<p>L2s such as Arbitrum and Base attract users with speed thanks to fast yet centralised sequencers\u2014systems that determine the order in which transactions are processed and added to the blockchain.<\/p>\n<p>Built on a similar principle is the new project <a href=\"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/news\/can-ethereum-outpace-solana-inside-megaeth-an-ambitious-new-rollup\">MegaETH<\/a>\u2014a rollup whose public testnet <a href=\"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/news\/megaeth-developers-launch-public-testnet\">launched<\/a> on March 21, 2025. In its early architecture a single sequencer is used to deliver ultra-fast transactions.<\/p>\n<p>On January 25, 2025, an online meeting of Ethereum developers and L2 leaders <a href=\"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/news\/ethereums-l2-developers-agree-on-implementing-based-rollups\">took place<\/a>, with the transition to based rollups on the agenda.<\/p>\n<p>Base\u2019s head Jesse Pollak said based rollups are \u201ca flexible and powerful tool\u201d that can make Base more tightly coupled to Ethereum and enhance security.<\/p>\n<p>Optimism Foundation\u2019s director Ben Jones backed the effort, adding that the technology would improve L1\u2013L2 interaction.<\/p>\n<p>In June 2024 Drake highlighted the Taiko startup as the first based rollup and sketched a roadmap for Ethereum\u2019s \u201cnative\u201d solutions.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The first ever based rollup\u2014Taiko\u2014is live!<\/p>\n<p>the endgame is based <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/v3Aqa4w1od\">pic.twitter.com\/v3Aqa4w1od<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Justin.eth Drake (@drakefjustin) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/drakefjustin\/status\/1798734295332274408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 6, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/cointelegraph.com\/magazine\/ethereum-l2s-interoperability-roadmap-complete-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Cointelegraph<\/a>, zkEVM Linea lead Declan Fox forecast the emergence of new based rollups this year. He cautioned, however, that migrating existing L2s will take longer given the need to develop new interoperability standards.<\/p>\n<p>In January 2025 Drake <a href=\"https:\/\/ethresear.ch\/t\/native-rollups-superpowers-from-l1-execution\/21517\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">published<\/a> a post on \u201cnative\u201d rollups. He explained that the ideas of based and native rollups apply to different parts of the blockchain stack.<\/p>\n<p>The former focus on block creation and ordering, whereas the latter use L1 as the execution layer. A rollup combining both approaches is close to ideal.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">No duplicated logic<\/h2>\n<p>There are several main ways to confirm transactions in EVM-compatible L2 networks:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>optimistic proofs\u2014assume all operations are valid, then post them to Ethereum. Within a seven-day window selected participants can challenge suspicious transactions before assets are withdrawn back to L1;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ZK-rollups use cryptographic proofs attesting to computations performed in the rollup, significantly speeding withdrawals to Ethereum.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The native-rollup proposal means L2s would no longer need complex proving systems or security councils. Instead, they would simply pass a list of transactions to Ethereum\u2019s base layer.<\/p>\n<p>Proofs are small cryptographic snapshots recording the state of asset ownership in rollups, periodically committed to Ethereum.<\/p>\n<p>Justin Drake describes an EXECUTE-precompile that turns native rollups into \u201cprogrammable sharded mechanisms\u201d. The process resembles Ethereum\u2019s earlier sharding plan, albeit in a different form.<\/p>\n<p>The term \u201cprecompile\u201d refers to a special type of contract embedded in the Ethereum protocol that extends the EVM\u2019s capabilities.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-qw.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXcPCZWffQcyDcfs9ze_iw5crLbJOYDLVK0Jmp7byFr1WtMiMRB5BPwsZSAMJT5rh7cCT2pY4q29RT2KPExGbjWfyDmmnHj-xgVQ-KLmR1FJWOtKyj4mt7kAfa78fD2KY4uS7JV9NA?key=VAK8lpUKM2OFNpklgIEATDuc\" alt=\"Native rollups: what they are and how they could bring money back to Ethereum\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">How native rollups work. Data: <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/2077Research\/status\/1883980391301755100\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">2077 Research<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>By recording L2 state on Ethereum, rollups benefit from its decentralised network. In turn, users can permissionlessly withdraw funds and force through transactions censored by a sequencer.<\/p>\n<p>Native rollups would process transactions while inheriting L1 security with only a few lines of code. Automatic network upgrades are also envisaged, without governance votes or security-council intervention.<\/p>\n<p>Eliminating duplicated Ethereum logic would cut maintenance costs and simplify security while keeping L2s synchronised with the base layer. For users, native rollups offer a higher-trust option suitable for large balances.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rollups pivot towards Ethereum<\/h2>\n<p>Native rollups could return a share of revenues to Ethereum\u2019s base layer, which in time could support the price of ETH.<\/p>\n<p>They would be forced to forgo a large slice of MEV\u2014extra income block producers earn by reordering, including or excluding transactions. They would also have to say goodbye to big fee takes on centralised sequencers.<\/p>\n<p>According to Dune Analytics, at the time of writing Arbitrum has earned <a href=\"https:\/\/dune.com\/queries\/3626319\/6108315\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">64,250 ETH<\/a> (~$122m) in fees, and Base <a href=\"https:\/\/dune.com\/queries\/3626289\/6108291\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">34,570 ETH<\/a> (~$66m).<\/p>\n<p>In an <span data-descr=\"ask me anything\" class=\"old_tooltip\">AMA<\/span> session on February 25, 2025, Vitalik Buterin, Justin Drake and Dankrad Feist <a href=\"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/news\/vitalik-buterin-justin-drake-and-other-developers-discuss-ethereums-future\">discussed<\/a> the network\u2019s future.<\/p>\n<p>Buterin voiced support for native rollups; Drake outlined their prospects.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cThe discussion around the novelty is only just beginning. In my experience, the concept of native rollups is surprisingly easy to sell to EVM-equivalent rollups. If the latter have the option to become native, then why not? It is a strict improvement that L1 provides, essentially for free,\u201d<\/em> Drake explained.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>According to him, Arbitrum, Base, Optimism and Scroll are already interested in becoming native.<\/p>\n<p>Native rollups do not require separate proving systems or external validators\u2014Ethereum handles the process. As a result, L2s gain several key advantages:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>conformity with Ethereum standards. Native rollups automatically inherit L1 upgrades, ensuring consistency, compatibility and quantum security;<\/li>\n<li>greater security. Users can hold assets on a native rollup and trust it as they do Ethereum. The risk of <a href=\"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/news\/singlesig-or-multisig-what-should-bitcoin-holders-choose\">multisig<\/a> wallet compromise is reduced;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>prospects for appchains. As <span data-descr=\"decentralized applications\" class=\"old_tooltip\">dapps<\/span> seek security, they can opt for a native-rollup model while adding custom features;<\/li>\n<li>simplified development. No need for bespoke fraud proofs or ZKPs, making deployment and maintenance easier;<\/li>\n<li>efficient ZKPs. Aggregate multiple proofs to cut verification costs in ZK-rollups.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Drawbacks, trade-offs and expectations<\/h2>\n<p>Native rollups tackle governance and security issues but do not remove all of Ethereum\u2019s scalability limits\u2014and sometimes add new ones:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>re-executing every transaction on-chain can be inefficient without additional ZKPs or optimistic techniques, given the gas limit;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>imperfect equivalence for EVM-compatible rollups. Specialised transaction formats or custom gas accounting may face compatibility issues, implying UX trade-offs;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>no path for EVM-incompatible networks such as popular SVM or <a href=\"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/news\/zuckerbergs-moves-how-metas-legacy-is-evolving-aptos-and-sui\">MoveVM<\/a>;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the execution precompile on which native rollups rely materially increases data-availability costs, potentially inflating L2 overheads by 5\u201310 times.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Though native designs are a notable step forward for Ethereum scalability, not every rollup is likely to adopt them. Instead, as <a href=\"https:\/\/mirror.xyz\/0x8958D0c419BCDFB8A86b8c0089552bE015fbe364\/JfE6dR3adVmmQne-novwH_Qm-cFAt3xxG60A31VDWn8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Dogan<\/a> of Cyber Fund argues, the ecosystem may evolve into three main categories:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>enterprise rollups<\/strong>: custom-built and business-controlled to meet specific needs such as transaction ordering or privacy;<\/li>\n<li><strong>performance-oriented rollups.<\/strong> Projects like MegaETH push throughput and cut costs via alternative data-availability solutions such as EigenDA;<\/li>\n<li><strong>native rollups<\/strong>: fully integrated with Ethereum, inheriting base-layer security and upgrading automatically, removing the need for external governance or separate proving mechanisms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Drake expects a first version of native rollups as soon as next year. Full technical maturity\u2014including integrated ZKPs and a higher gas limit\u2014will take longer.<\/p>\n<p>Native rollups offer a clear path in which L2s stay synchronised with Ethereum without complex governance structures, creating a safer, cleaner experience for users, developers and the wider ecosystem.<\/p>\n<p>Given Ethereum engineers\u2019 contribution to the ecosystem and the industry\u2019s evolution, a fair return from their offspring\u2014layer\u2011two solutions\u2014would be no surprise.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Layer-2 (L2) solutions offer relatively fast and cheap Web3 interactions and remain a cornerstone of Ethereum\u2019s scaling. Yet they raise UX demands, strain the economics of the second-largest cryptocurrency and complicate life for developers. The latter must build and maintain their own proof systems, rely on a rollup security council and manually apply changes after [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22637,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"select":"","news_style_id":"","cryptorium_level":"","_short_excerpt_text":"","creation_source":"","_metatest_mainpost_news_update":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1144],"tags":[46,1179,1134],"class_list":["post-22638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-longreads","tag-ethereum","tag-layer-2-solutions","tag-technical-updates"],"aioseo_notices":[],"amp_enabled":true,"views":"168","promo_type":"","layout_type":"","short_excerpt":"","is_update":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22638"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22638\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22637"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}