Vitalik Buterin Proposes 10X Expansion of Ethereum L1 Dominance Amid L2 Challenges

• Proposed 10X expansion on L1 to strengthen Ethereum.
• Focus on security and censorship resistance against L2 flaws.
• Improved interoperability and integration of wallets.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently stressed the need for a significant expansion in the Ethereum network’s layer 1 (L1) capacity. Buterin advocates for a tenfold increase in the L1 gas limit, a proposal that seeks to not only improve the network’s security and censorship resistance, but also facilitate the development of simpler and more effective applications.

The motivation for this expansion is partly due to Buterin’s concerns about the possibility of censorship in layer 2 (L2) solutions, which have been gaining prominence in the ecosystem. According to him, “centralized L2 sequencers can, during congestion, expose the network to unwanted manipulation.” Thus, a robustly scalable L1 would serve as a bulwark against such threats, ensuring forced inclusion mechanisms that allow users to bypass potential censorship.

Conclusion (as a table) pic.twitter.com/9fBXcXJWxb

- vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) February 14, 2025

One of the main focuses of Buterin’s proposal is on asset transfers between layers, with a particular focus on NFTs and less common assets. Increasing L1 capacity not only improves user safety in the event of failures or adverse changes to L2 governance, but also enables mass exits without imposing exorbitant gas fees.

Another crucial aspect of the proposal is the positive impact such an expansion would have on ERC20 token launches directly on L1. This measure could mitigate risks associated with hostile changes to the governance of specific L2 solutions, in addition to simplifying keystore wallet operations and facilitating distribution on L2 networks.

Buterin also discussed the economic viability of L2 proof-of-stakes, suggesting that a more capable L1 would make interoperability between L2 layers more sustainable through frequent state updates. However, he acknowledges the technical challenges such an expansion entails, especially with regard to maintaining network security and decentralization.