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Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin urged Layer 2 networks to rethink their strategy. He noted a significant decrease in Layer 2 users from 58.4 million to about 30 million, even though Ethereum’s core network has more than doubled the number of active addresses.
This change happened as the Ethereum core network shows unexpected strength. Transaction fees are at an all-time low and experts expect gas limits to increase until 2026. As a result, the base layer of Ethereum is now able to process a much larger number of transactions autonomously.
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The original purpose of the second layer disappears
Vitalik Buterin explained in Detailed charter The original second class vision is obsolete. Initially, Layer 2 networks were expected to act as “branded shards” that leveraged Ethereum, with the core network being limited in scalability. However, the first layer of Ethereum now processes transactions at a minimal cost. In contrast, the planned increase in gas limits will also increase its capacity. As for the second level projects I’m having trouble accessing the highest security levels It turns out that reaching the requirements of the second stage of rollup is very difficult.
Show data terminal token Monthly Layer 2 addresses fell from 58.4 million in mid-2025 to about 30 million in February 2026. During this period, Ethereum’s active core addresses increased from 7 million to 15 million, an increase of 41.4%. This sharp shift indicates that users are returning to the main chain with lower transaction fees.
Buterin also drew attention to the fact that some Tier 2 operators admit that they never aim to reach the status of rollup Stage 2. Instead, they focus on regulatory requirements that require ultimate control of the network. This approach stems from Ethereum’s core values ​​of permissionlessness and trust.
The market adapts to uncertainty
The market responded to this identity crisis with skepticism. The best Layer 2 tokens fell between 15% and 30% in January 2026, according to CoinGecko data. The total market capitalization of the sector is now at $7.95 billion as of February 4, 2026, highlighting the ongoing weakness.
Major tokens such as Arbitrum ($0.13211), ZK Sync ($0.02327) and Optimism ($0.2192) reflect this mixed performance. However, these numbers hide a deeper problem. As the ease of access to the first layer of Ethereum improves, many users choose its superior security. The role of layer 2 networks as cost cutters is fading, forcing layer 2 teams to rethink their primary role in the ecosystem.
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The behavioral changes are obvious: when transaction costs decrease, users move towards the main chain. This contradicts previous assumptions that the second layer would control day-to-day transactions. Appreciation for the safety and simplicity of the first layer grows as the barriers disappear.
Vitalik Buterin’s path to Layer 2
Buterin’s advice for Layer 2 networks focuses on defining new value beyond expansion. He pointed to potential areas such as privacy-focused virtual machines, application-only use cases, or completely new approaches to non-financial platforms such as social networks and identity systems.
Buterin stated that if it were to operate today as a layer 2 network, it would identify an added value beyond expansion. Examples: Specialized non-EVM / privacy-focused functions, specialized efficiency for a particular application, extreme levels of scale that Layer 1 will not achieve even if it has scaled significantly, completely different architecture for non-financial applications such as social, identity or AI.
Buterin emphasized that layer 2 networks that manage eth or other assets built on Ethereum should achieve at least the security of Stage 1. Without this, he explained, these networks will become separate blockchains with bridge links, and will lose their function as an extension of Ethereum. It also supports the idea of ​​strong interoperability, although the details vary depending on the network architecture.
Buterin considered having a precompile to compile the classes to be essential in the infrastructure. He noted that this tool will allow Ethereum to directly verify zk-evm proofs, keep up with changes in the protocol, and provide protection against hard forks. According to him, this could give the second layers the freedom to design custom solutions while being able to rely on Ethereum’s secure verification layer.
This flexible conceptualization reveals the possibility of a wide range of second-layer models. He showed that networks with evm extensions can use the original object for standard transactions and create special proofs for more functionality. This kind of flexibility supports intermediary interaction with Ethereum while at the same time keeping room for central control if the developer wanted, and Buterin saw this as part of the developer’s freedom in a permissionless system.
As the main layer of Ethereum continues to grow until 2026, the network of layer 2 faces a pivotal test. The data confirmed that users choose the security of the main chain when it is available. Layer 2 networks must now provide compelling reasons for users to engage – not just cut costs. The solution may lie in advanced privacy tools, new virtual machines or unique applications. The direction of the second layer chosen will determine the future of Ethereum.
