Last updated on March 10th, 2026 at 11:55 am
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has issued a call to action for Layer 2 (L2) developers, urging them to prioritize innovation over replication. Speaking on the state of L2 and app-chain development, Buterin warned that simply copying existing EVM chains or creating new Layer 1s with basic bridges to Ethereum contributes little to the ecosystem and limits creativity.
Have been following reactions to what I said about L2s about 1.5 days ago.
One important thing that I believe is: “make yet another EVM chain and add an optimistic bridge to Ethereum with a 1 week delay” is to infra what forking Compound is to governance – something we’ve done…
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) February 5, 2026
Beyond copy-paste L2s: Focus on unique solutions
Buterin highlighted that the market already offers substantial Ethereum blockspace, making generic EVM chains or alt L1s unnecessary. “We definitely don’t need even more L1s or copypasta EVM chains,” he said. Instead, developers should pursue new capabilities such as privacy-focused chains, ultra-low latency solutions, and application-specific efficiency.
He pointed to examples such as prediction market architectures, where trading occurs on a dedicated rollup while settlement and signature verification remain anchored to Ethereum. Such designs preserve interoperability while delivering meaningful improvements for users.
Vibes should match substance: Honest Ethereum integration
Buterin also emphasized the importance of aligning a project’s public narrative with its technical reality. Projects fully integrated with Ethereum can describe themselves as Ethereum applications, benefiting from the network’s security and composability.
Conversely, independent chains should clearly communicate their unique value while acknowledging their limited dependence on Ethereum. He cited institutional app chains that provide algorithmic transparency and verifiable execution as examples of projects that, while not strictly Ethereum-native, can still complement the ecosystem.
Buterin’s message underscores the need for originality and integrity in L2 development. By building solutions that deliver genuine value, developers can enhance Ethereum’s ecosystem, unlock new use cases, and provide capabilities beyond simple replication. The guidance serves as a reminder that Ethereum’s growth relies not just on more chains, but on chains that push technological and practical boundaries.
In another development, Buterin said many layer-2s have failed to properly inherit Ethereum’s security model, with some relying on centralized components such as multisig bridges. According to him, this undermines the idea that L2s are truly “scaling Ethereum.”
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