- Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin believes that Layer-2 protocols in the network have formed a cultural extension of the main chain.
- He highlighted that Ethereum offers a level playing field for innovation.
- Buterin believes the cultural alignment is to balance pluralism and cooperation.
Explore how Ethereum’s Layer-2 protocols are shaping the network’s cultural landscape and driving innovation.
Organizational Difference Between Layer-1 And Layer-2
In his recent blog post, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has reiterated that Layer-2 protocols are like a “cultural extension of the Ethereum” network. Buterin believes that the most important difference between Layer-1 and Layer-2 protocols is organizational rather than technical.
“It’s not about what can get built, but what will get built, because of how the lines between different parts of the ecosystem are drawn and how that affects people’s incentives and ability to act,” the crypto entrepreneur added.
He described Layer-2-centric ecosystems as having an inherent pluralistic nature. This is apart from their natural capacity to lead to a greater diversity of multiple approaches to scaling, virtual machine design, as well as other technological features. Buterin highlighted a previous statement where he clearly stated that Ethereum is like a hub where developers could just independently build a sub-ecosystem.
While taking support from Ethereum, the sub-ecosystem can have its distinct features, per the published statement from the Ethereum co-founder. He also noted that this characterization transcends technology to include culture.
Ethereum Subcultures And L2s
According to Buterin, popular researcher Paul Dylan-Ennis has spent a lot of time looking into the subject of Ethereum subcultures. So far, Dylan-Ennis has discovered three main Ethereum subcultures which he called Cypherpunk, Regens, and Degens.
All three subcultures differ in their characteristics. However, Ethereum’s position as a flexible developer platform offers them some kind of playing field “where the subculture can engage in action and not just talking.”
For context, Cypherpunks participate in core Ethereum research and development and write privacy software. Regens do Gitcoin grants rounds, retroactive public goods funding, and various other non-financial applications. Degens, on the other hand, trade memecoins, Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and play games.
In terms of subcultures and L2s, Buterin stated that the latter is the ultimate playing field for action. Layer-2 protocols offer the opportunity to emerge to subcultures that are armed with substantial resources. An L2 is simultaneously an ecosystem that is organized around building something. To further emphasize his stance, Buterin highlighted a few L2s including MegaETH.
Ultimately, the core value proposition of the L2-centric approach to culture is its attempt to balance the benefits of pluralism and cooperation.
Conclusion
Vitalik Buterin’s insights into the cultural dynamics of Ethereum’s Layer-2 protocols underscore the network’s potential for fostering innovation and diversity. By understanding the organizational differences and the unique subcultures within Ethereum, stakeholders can better appreciate the ecosystem’s pluralistic nature and its capacity for cooperative growth. As Layer-2 solutions continue to evolve, they promise to further enrich Ethereum’s cultural and technological landscape.
