L2s will face tougher rules in 2025
In response to L2BEAT, massive modifications are coming to how we take into consideration layer 2 (L2) tasks, the group of tasks that use Ethereum’s blockchain to deal with extra exercise. Proper now, the class has over 120 L2 tasks and holds greater than $50 billion in complete worth locked (TVL).
For years, L2s had been primarily judged on how shut they had been to turning into totally decentralized. Nevertheless, as L2s have grown, the safety dangers have turn out to be extra obvious.
Many tasks lack proof techniques and depend on centralized setups and which means that consumer funds are weak. To handle these points, L2BEAT is rolling out a brand new framework to separate really safe L2s from weaker options.
In response to L2BEAT, these updates are anticipated to enhance consumer safety and transparency.
L2BEAT is proposing three massive modifications
In response to L2BEAT, three massive modifications are coming to the ecosystem.
The primary would be the “Others” class. Tasks with out correct proof techniques or adequate knowledge availability (DA) ensures will now be categorized beneath the brand new “Others” class. This group contains chains like Polygon PoS and sure OP Stack rollups that fail to satisfy the up to date requirements. Beforehand, these tasks had been thought of L2s, however their setups typically depend on centralized management or weak DA committees.
Chains may also must arrange necessary proof techniques. A safe rollup is nothing with out the precise proof system, as that may enable permissionless exits and shield consumer funds even when permissioned actors turn out to be unavailable.
L2BEAT now requires all rollups (a selected kind of L2) to have these proof techniques. With out one, they merely gained’t be thought of a correct rollup anymore. There are tasks like StarkNet that already use proof techniques to confirm each state transition on Ethereum.
Alt-DA L2s (like validiums and optimiums) should additionally meet stricter necessities for knowledge availability ensures. This contains having decentralized DA committees or correct DA attestation bridges. Many present tasks rely on small, centralized committees or exterior networks with out correct ensures, creating potential dangers for customers.
L2BEAT stated that tasks have six months to make the required enhancements to satisfy these new requirements. So, by the center of 2025, it expects them to have added proof techniques and improved knowledge safety or face reclassification.
There’s additionally a suggestion on grounds the place L2BEAT will work with these groups to assist them by means of the method.
Group assist is essential
Ethereum’s co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, is totally on board with these stricter guidelines for L2 tasks. Beginning in 2025, he’ll solely publicly assist tasks that meet the upper safety requirements (categorized as Stage 1 or increased). It is a clear message to builders that safety and decentralization have to be prime priorities.
“The period of rollups being glorified multisigs is coming to an finish. The period of cryptographic belief is upon us,” stated Buterin.
The Ethereum group itself additionally performs an enormous position in all of this. It begins making the area safer for everybody when it begins to solely actively assist tasks that meet the brand new requirements and raises questions on people who don’t.
In response to L2BEAT, it’s not slowing down both. As a substitute, it’ll double its efforts to watch and overview proof techniques in 2025. Which means that it gained’t simply be trying to see if a mission has a proof system but in addition checking how good and dependable these techniques are. Initiatives just like the ZK Catalog will assist it do that extra totally.
All of this ties into Ethereum’s larger imaginative and prescient of a world of decentralized and safe L2s. All of it begins by holding tasks accountable and elevating the bar for safety so folks can really belief the expertise they use
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