Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, stated the critical importance of achieving fast withdrawals from L2. He noted that this is a more pressing task than second-stage decentralization.
Goal of Fast Withdrawals from L2
Buterin emphasized the need for quick withdrawals from Layer 2 (L2) to Layer 1 (L1), which can take up to a week without intermediaries. In his view, this creates pressure to adopt less reliable models that contradict Ethereum's decentralized principle.
Shift to Validity Proofs
Buterin expressed that Ethereum should transition from optimistic proofs to validity proofs (ZK-proofs). He mentioned that optimistic proofs were preferable in the past due to the cost of ZK technology, but this situation is changing. He proposed a hybrid model that combines ZK, optimistic proof, and trusted execution environment components.
Long-term Prospects for Ethereum
Buterin outlined a long-term vision where Ethereum can enable settlement of various L2 every 12 seconds. This would significantly accelerate asset movement between L2s and improve Ethereum's financial architecture, making L1 not just a security anchor, but a high-speed settlement hub.
Reducing withdrawal times from L2 not only enhances user experience but also represents a fundamental transformation of Ethereum's architecture, which could strengthen its role as the economic center of the ecosystem.
