Unchained

Are Layer 2s Failing Ethereum? A New Proposal Advocates for Native L2s - Ep. 736

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Martin Köppelmann, co-founder of Gnosis, has proposed that Ethereum should have native rollups—a vision aimed at addressing scalability and decentralization.

Köppelmann critiques the current state of layer 2 solutions, highlighting their limitations in fully inheriting Ethereum’s security and composability. 

He proposes a bold alternative: 128 Ethereum-native rollups designed to expand block space, strengthen alignment with Ethereum’s core principles, and ensure long-term viability for developers and users.

Plus, Martin tackles the controversies: Are L2s parasitic? Could native rollups spell the end for existing solutions? And why should they rely on zero-knowledge proofs instead of Optimism?

Show highlights:
  • Whether the Ethereum scaling roadmap is accomplishing its goals
  • Why based rollups are not a full solution, according to Martin
  • What Martin proposes instead
  • Why Martin is proposing these rollups to be ZK-rollups instead of optimistic
  • Whether the proposed solution would focus on privacy
  • What it is about chain abstraction that Martin doesn’t like
  • How he envisions that these native rollups will solve many composability issues across L2s
  • Whether the community has embraced this proposal and how likely it is to be implemented
  • What would happen to current L2s if native rollups get implemented
  • Why despite being against the current state of L2s, Martin says that they are not parasitic to Ethereum

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      • Guest:
      Martin Köppelmann, Co-founder and CEO of GnosisLinks
      • Previous coverage of Unchained on Ethereum layer 2s:
      • ETH Is Down Bad, While Layer 2s Are Ripping. Are L2s Parasitic to Ethereum?
      • Are L2s ‘Parasitic’? Analysis Shows Ethereum Only Gets a Tiny Percentage of Fees
      • Are Solana’s ‘Network Extensions’ Just Like Ethereum’s Layer 2s But by a Different Name?
      • Ethereum Has Had a Banner Year in Most Areas. Except Price.
      • Should Ethereum Layer 2s Urgently Decentralize Their Sequencers?
      • Blockworks: Gnosis founder argues Ethereum needs native L2s
      • Martin’s tweet on USDC yields


        • Timestamps: 

        • 00:00 Intro
        • 01:47 Is Ethereum’s scaling roadmap meeting its goals?
        • 04:07 Why Martin believes based rollups aren’t the full solution
        • 08:11 Martin’s bold proposal for native rollups
        • 12:07 Why ZK-rollups over optimistic rollups
        • 15:56 Whether these rollups should also preserve privacy
        • 17:11 Martin’s issue with chain abstraction
        • 22:35 How native rollups could solve L2 composability problems
        • 26:49 Has the community embraced Martin’s vision?
        • 30:52 What happens to existing L2s if native rollups win
        • 36:06 Whether Martin thinks L2s are parasitic to Ethereum

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          UnchainedBy Laura Shin