Vitalik Buterin Proposes Ethereum Layer 2 Roadmap and Advocates Open Source Funding

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has introduced a new roadmap aimed at strengthening the security and finality of Layer 2 (L2) solutions.His proposal introduces a flexible, multi-proof system designed to support Ethereum’s scalability while preserving its core principles of decentralization and trust minimization.Ethereum’s New Layer 2 RoadmapAt the heart of Buterin’s technical framework is a “2-of-3” model. This system uses three different proof types—optimistic, zero-knowledge (ZK), and trusted execution environment (TEE) provers.A transaction is finalized when any two of these agree, significantly reducing the risk tied to relying on a single-proof method. The model offers a pragmatic balance between speed, robustness, and decentralization.Buterin emphasized the importance of diversification, especially as zero-knowledge systems mature. He warned that shared code among ZK rollups could cause bugs to propagate across implementations, raising systemic risk. “This means that the finality of rollups can be as fast as zk proving (~<1hr for now) while protecting the system from soundness bugs in the zk system,” Wei Dai, a research partner at 1kxnetwork, explained. Meanwhile, Buterin’s roadmap also lays out the requirements for what he calls “Stage 2 rollups.” These next-generation rollups would deliver near-instant confirmations, high finality, and strong resistance to failures—even in semi-trusted environments.Importantly, they would still adhere to Ethereum’s 30-day upgrade delay, a rule that safeguards the network’s stability during transitions.Buterin Makes Case for Open-Source FundingBeyond scalability, Buterin is also advocating a cultural shift in how the crypto community approaches development funding.In a separate blog post, he suggested shifting the focus from “public goods funding” to “open-source funding.”His concern is that the phrase “public goods” has become politically and socially loaded, often used in ways that prioritize perception over impact. “A big part of the reason why the term ‘public good’ is vulnerable to social gaming is precisely the fact that the definition of ‘public good’ is stretched so easily,” Buterin argued He noted that public goods funding is vulnerable to social desirability bias. This often favors those who can navigate community politics over those who deliver meaningful value.In contrast, open-source funding emphasizes transparency, collaboration, and the building of tools that genuinely benefit the broader ecosystem.Buterin believes that the goal should not be to fund any open-source project indiscriminately but to support those that create maximum value for humanity.This stance aligns with his broader vision of a sustainable, community-driven blockchain infrastructure.Together, Buterin’s proposals could redefine both the technical direction of Ethereum’s scalability efforts and the philosophical foundations of its funding strategies—reinforcing the network’s long-term commitment to decentralization, security, and public benefit.