Optimiums and the ‘L2’: Ethereum security revisited

Basically, it’s thought that the time period “Ethereum Layer-2” signifies that a sequence inherits the security of Ethereum. However the line has all the time been blurred and stays, particularly with the rise of on -stack chains that use different information availability (DA). These so-called “Optimixs” are established to Ethereum, however put up put up information elsewhere and introduce some extra trust-assumptions.

Theghrul Maharramov, a Rollup researcher and former scrolling provider, is a vocal critic of Looser L2 definitions and defined on Wednesday on X:

“Optimixs should not L2S. Everybody who says in any other case you attempt to psyop.”

An excellent instance of that is Celo, who reported Blockworks as a case examine of an L1 that turned an L2. For essentially the most half, Ethereum Rollups put up their information on Ethereum itself – initially through calldates and now, primarily, through blobs. This makes the helpful possession of permissionless state reconstruction and recordings attainable from an L2 to Ethereum Meminnet.

Optimixs, however, outsource off-chain networks akin to Eigenenda, Celestia or B are advantages, and depend on certificates to show that information is offered. They’ll use fraud and choose Ethereum, however they add a layer of belief that Ethereum can not instantly confirm.

Vitalik Buterin has used “L2” generously, and certainly referred to Celo particularly as shifting to an “L2”, so we’re in good firm, however the distinction is greater than semantics.

Ethereum Scaling Tracker L2Beat now classifies most optimixs as ‘others’, a catch-all class for chains that don’t meet the strict Rollup standards. Celo, for instance, accomplished his transition in March 2025 to stroll with possession on Stack.

Based on L2Beat, it fails two vital checks for the Rollup standing:

• It has fewer than 5 exterior actors who can submit fraud tickets
• It has no DA bridge that posts the provision of Eigenendaa on Ethereum on Ethereum

The outcome: no L1-forced treatment if information is lacking.

Lisk, who migrated to Ethereum on the finish of 2024, additionally falls for related causes on this bucket – dependence on a permitted challenger – though it locations information about Ethereum.

Based on Sreeram Kannan, founding father of Eigenlaer, we are able to regard rollups as “outside protocol scaling for execution”, whereas possession is “outside protocol scaling for blob house”. In each circumstances the information and logic outdoors the protocol guidelines of Ethereum – however solely rollups make sure that Ethereum can implement validity immediately.

“When a certificates of Eigenenda seems, you belief that this certificates implies that the information is offered,” he mentioned Blockworks.

That belief mannequin has no enforcement on the chain at this time.

“If the DA claimed that the information is offered and the information isn’t obtainable, there isn’t any story,” mentioned Kannan.

So, is “L2” solely Ethereum-Uitgevelde Advertising and marketing? Or ought to it replicate the flexibility of the protocol to implement each correctness and availability?

The present place of L2Beat is that Ethereum should be capable of reject dangerous state roots and to independently confirm the provision of information. All the things else requires extra confidence – whether or not in a Da Quorum, an administrative council or a permitted sequence of challengers.

Optimixs with out standing validation or a DA bridge stay within the ‘others’ class. However because the know-how matures, some can graduate to “Validiums & Optimixs” and even get a job standing. To try this, you would wish a strong fallback mechanism or a solution to make Da -Mislukkings a ‘goal -sitting error’, a troublesome drawback to crack.