For years, Ethereum’s layer-2 (L2) networks positioned themselves as direct extensions of Ethereum , faster, cheaper versions of the same chain. Messaging like “Arbitrum is Ethereum” or “Base is Ethereum” reinforced the idea that rollups were inseparable from the base layer.

That narrative is now shifting.

Recent comments from Vitalik Buterin, questioning whether Ethereum still needs a dedicated layer-2 roadmap as the base layer becomes faster and cheaper, have triggered a broader reassessment across the L2 ecosystem. Rather than sparking panic, the remarks have pushed rollup teams to redefine who they are , and what value they actually provide.

Ethereum’s Evolution Is Changing the L2 Equation

Layer-2s were originally integrated into Ethereum’s roadmap to solve a clear problem: scaling. By processing transactions off-chain and settling them back to Ethereum, rollups reduced congestion and gas fees.

But Ethereum itself is evolving. Improvements at the base layer are steadily reducing costs and increasing throughput, raising a fundamental question: if Ethereum can scale on its own, what role do layer-2s play next?

This question has forced L2 leaders to step away from branding themselves as “Ethereum, but cheaper” and toward defining independent value propositions.

“Not Ethereum” , But Still Part of the Ecosystem

Following Buterin’s remarks, the tone from some layer-2 leaders noticeably changed. Instead of emphasizing sameness, they began stressing distinction.

The message emerging across the ecosystem is clear: layer-2s are no longer trying to be Ethereum itself. They are platforms that use Ethereum as a settlement layer, not identities derived from it.

This reframing matters, especially as leading L2s now secure billions of dollars in user funds and support large on-chain economies. Networks like Arbitrum and Base are no longer experimental scaling tools , they are major crypto platforms in their own right.

Scaling Alone Is No Longer Enough

Across the ecosystem, leaders agree on one point: low fees alone won’t be enough going forward.

As Ethereum becomes cheaper and more efficient, rollups must offer specialization , whether that’s better developer tooling, payments infrastructure, consumer apps, or enterprise-grade reliability.

This shift is already visible. Polygon has moved its focus toward payments and real-world use cases, emphasizing consistency and reliability over raw throughput. Others are exploring vertical-specific blockspace, optimized environments, and application-centric chains.

The expectation is no longer that L2s merely scale Ethereum, but that they solve problems Ethereum itself isn’t designed to handle directly.

Layer-2s as Independent Platforms

Some leaders now describe layer-2s less as blockchains and more as standalone digital services.

From this perspective, Ethereum acts as a neutral settlement and security layer , an open standard , while L2s behave like independent platforms built on top of it. This allows each rollup to customize its architecture, governance, and economics without being constrained by Ethereum’s core priorities.

Projects tied to the Optimism ecosystem have echoed this view, arguing that flexibility and differentiation are essential for long-term success.

A Transition, Not a Threat

Despite dramatic headlines, few industry leaders see this moment as an existential crisis for layer-2s. Instead, it’s widely viewed as a transition.

Ethereum’s progress hasn’t made rollups obsolete , it has raised the bar. Layer-2s are being pushed to reconcile how they once branded themselves with what they now need to become: independent platforms with clear purposes, distinct users, and real-world relevance.

In that sense, Ethereum growing stronger isn’t killing its sidekicks.

It’s forcing them to finally stand on their own.