Layer 2 solutions (L2s) have significantly alleviated congestion on the Ethereum mainnet, lowering gas fees while maintaining security. However, concerns have arisen about whether they are overly benefiting from the Ethereum ecosystem by extracting revenue, specifically transaction sequencing fees, without adequately compensating the mainnet. Prominent figures argue that Ethereum should reclaim more of this financial pie as L2s like Base, Optimism, and Arbitrum have generated substantial profits from transaction fees while only a fraction is directed back to Ethereum. The recent Dencun upgrade has catalyzed the rise of L2s by enhancing operational efficiency and increasing their user demand. Discussions regarding potential solutions include transitioning to “based rollups” for improved security and exploring fee structures that could affect the competitive landscape. Some stakeholders advocate for social pressure on L2s to reconsider profit-sharing dynamics, suggesting a focus on Ethereum’s long-term health rather than immediate revenue generation.

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