TLDR
- Buterin says Ethereum L2s inherit L1 security against 51% validator attacks.
- Yakovenko warns L2s face audit issues and centralization via multisig custody.
- Over 129 verified Ethereum L2 networks now fragment liquidity and fees.
- Solana co-founder proposes bridge to link Ethereum and Solana securely.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko have publicly disagreed over the security of Ethereum’s layer-2 (L2) networks. The debate, unfolding on X, has drawn attention from the crypto community as both leaders present opposing views on whether Ethereum’s L2 systems truly inherit the same level of security as its main blockchain.
Buterin Defends Ethereum’s Layer-2 Security
Vitalik Buterin maintained that Ethereum’s L2s remain secure because they rely on the base layer’s finality and validator structure. He argued that even a 51% attack on the main chain cannot make an invalid block valid. “A key property of a blockchain is that even a 51% attack cannot make an invalid block valid,” Buterin wrote on X. “This means even 51% of validators colluding or hit by a software bug cannot steal your assets.”
However, Buterin also cautioned that security weakens when validators are trusted beyond chain-controlled functions. “This property does not carry over if you start trusting your validator set to do other things that the chain does not control,” he said. He added that in such cases, validators could collude and produce incorrect outcomes without immediate recourse.
Major Ethereum Layer 2s, including Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, and Worldchain, collectively hold more than $35 billion in locked value. They depend on Ethereum’s validator network, which now exceeds one million active participants. Supporters argue this makes Ethereum more resilient to coordinated attacks compared to networks like Solana, which has around 2,000 validators.
Yakovenko Challenges Ethereum’s Security Assumptions
Anatoly Yakovenko disputed Buterin’s position, saying that Ethereum’s L2s do not fully inherit the security of the base layer. “The claim that L2s inherit eth security is erroneous,” he wrote on X. “Five years into the L2 roadmap, wormhole eth on Solana has the same worst-case risks as eth on Base.”
Yakovenko argued that despite years of development, L2 networks still face technical challenges that prevent them from reaching the same security standards. “Yes, there is something fundamental about L2s that makes it difficult to achieve the desired security,” he added. “That’s why it hasn’t happened in five years.”
He pointed to several vulnerabilities within L2 systems. These include complex codebases that expand attack surfaces, multi-signature wallets that can move funds if compromised, and off-chain processes that concentrate control among a few operators. Such structures, he warned, introduce centralization risks that undermine blockchain’s decentralized nature.
Proposed Bridge Between Solana and Ethereum
To improve interoperability and security, Yakovenko suggested building a bridge that allows Ethereum to function as a layer-2 for Solana. He said this approach could support faster asset transfers between ecosystems while reducing reliance on centralized elements. The proposal reflects Solana’s broader effort to expand cross-chain capabilities without depending solely on traditional L2 designs.
The debate between the two co-founders has intensified ongoing discussions about how Ethereum can strike a balance between scalability, decentralization, and security.
Expanding L2 Ecosystem Raises Broader Concerns
Ethereum’s L2 ecosystem continues to expand rapidly. According to L2Beat, there are 129 verified L2 networks and 29 unverified ones. This growing number has sparked debate about whether the ecosystem’s fragmentation affects Ethereum’s base layer transaction volume and fee revenue.
CoinGecko data shows Ethereum’s price dropped 25% in the first half of 2025, while Solana fell 19.1%. However, Solana outperformed Ethereum by 26.2% in January before both tokens faced wider market pressure.
The exchange between Buterin and Yakovenko underscores the ongoing debate about the future of blockchain scalability and security as both ecosystems evolve.
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