Bitrabo Editorial
Ethereum, recognized as the leading platform for smart contracts globally, has made significant progress in scaling its operations after many years of enhancements. However, this growth isn’t aligning with the expectations of decentralization advocates. To accommodate the increasing number of users, the network has turned to off-chain methods predominantly utilizing roll-up technologies. This approach helps manage higher transaction volumes while lessening the burden on the primary network.
Growth of Ethereum Layer-2 Solutions
This shift has led to a significant increase in layer-2 platforms. According to L2Beat, these off-chain solutions are currently overseeing assets valued at over $37 billion. Arbitrum stands out as the most significant player, controlling assets worth more than $13 billion.
Nonetheless, the topic of decentralization remains a pertinent concern. While platforms like Arbitrum and Base are experiencing growth, many have not yet achieved true decentralization.
For instance, the absence of a decentralized fault-proof system or a sequencer among their developers highlights a vulnerability within the Ethereum ecosystem.
Current information reveals that Arbitrum operates with a permission-based fault-proof mechanism, while Optimism faced setbacks after audits found vulnerabilities. In any layer-2 arrangement, a fault-proof system is critical to ensure the validity of transactions forwarded to the sequencer, similar to those sent on the mainnet.
Transactions are sequenced, then bundled together, and ultimately confirmed on the mainnet, with fees incurred whenever Ethereum validators finalize this batch of transactions.
Will L2s Need to Acquire Decentralization from Mainnet Validators?
A notable issue has arisen as transaction fees have sharply declined in recent months following the activation of Dencun. This trend indicates that low gas fees within a thriving layer-2 environment could potentially deter validators. Nevertheless, analysts at Token Terminal are optimistic about impending changes.
Their forecast suggests that ultimately, all Ethereum layer-2 solutions will have to “purchase” decentralization from the mainnet validators. The silver lining is that there are numerous validators available to choose from. Data from Beaconcha.in indicates that more than a million validators currently support the blockchain.
According to Token Terminal, while layer-2 platforms could opt to build their own validator systems, this route would demand significant resources to establish a decentralized network effectively.
Consequently, acquiring decentralization from a selection of Ethereum layer-1 validators is seen as a practical approach. By doing so, these chosen validators can negotiate more favorable fees than what the network typically provides, thereby enhancing their earnings significantly.
Simultaneously, as the requirement for layer-2 decentralization solutions intensifies, the income streams for these validators are likely to surge as well.