Vitalik Warns L2 ’Copy-Paste’ Chains Undermine Ethereum; Calls for Genuine Rollups and App Chains

Published: 2026-02-06 08:33:41 |

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin warned that a wave of Layer-2 (L2) and EVM-compatible chains built on a “copy-paste” model is harming Ethereum’s long-term security and scalability. He criticized projects that reuse templates, add superficial optimistic bridges with long withdrawal delays, or leverage the Ethereum brand without real technical integration. Buterin said mainnet scaling will continue through 2026, reducing the need for new first-layer networks, and urged builders to pursue meaningful technical differentiation: privacy, app-specific efficiency, ultra-low latency execution, AI-friendly throughput, or app chains that keep issuance and settlement on Ethereum while moving execution off-chain. He described two acceptable models: rollups (off-chain execution with on-chain settlement) and institutional systems that publish cryptographic proofs on Ethereum and clearly disclose their trust assumptions. Buterin emphasized that projects should align marketing claims with technical reality — “vibes should match substance.” For traders, the guidance signals reduced long-term demand for copycat L2 tokens and stronger value accrual for genuine rollups and projects that meaningfully inherit Ethereum security.

Neutral

Buterin’s comments are primarily doctrinal and directional rather than an immediate protocol change or hard fork; they clarify which technical models he considers legitimate and call out low-value copycat projects. Short-term market reaction could be mixed: speculative tokens of copycat L2 projects may see sell pressure as narratives weaken, while credible rollups or projects with clear Ethereum security ties could gain relative interest. However, there is no direct protocol upgrade or regulatory event that would sharply move ETH price on its own. Over the medium to long term, clearer differentiation and consolidation around authentic rollups and app chains could concentrate value into projects that actually inherit Ethereum security, supporting ETH and high-quality L2 tokens. Net effect: limited immediate price impact on ETH (neutral), but potential rotational flows within the L2/EVM token cohort—bearish for copycats, bullish for genuine rollups.