Ethereum Foundation unveils new L1/L2 strategy

Ethereum Foundation updates L1/L2 strategy: L1 stays the secure DeFi hub, while L2s focus on specialized services, innovation, and improved security, paving the way for ecosystem growth.

The Ethereum Foundation has announced a major update to its Layer 1 (L1) and Layer 2 (L2) strategy, marking the first significant revision since the rollup-centric roadmap was introduced five years ago. L1 will continue to serve as the core settlement and DeFi hub, with a strong focus on security, decentralization, and data availability. Meanwhile, L2 networks are encouraged to move beyond simple scaling solutions, offering specialized services and innovative user experiences. The Foundation now requires L2s to meet at least Stage 1 security standards and pass a walkaway test. Notably, blobs—a key data availability mechanism for L2s—are currently only about 30% utilized, indicating substantial room for growth. This new model aims to leverage the complementary strengths of L1 and L2, fostering a more robust, scalable, and diverse Ethereum ecosystem.