Scaling the EVM requires an L1, not an L2

Key Points

  • Layer 2 solutions are not the answer to scaling the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), as they introduce issues like centralization and interoperability challenges.
  • The focus should shift back to enhancing Layer 1 solutions, which are the backbone of the blockchain ecosystem and have been historically overlooked.
  • A new performance metric, "gas per second," is proposed to better evaluate blockchain performance beyond simple transactions per second (TPS).
  • Rebuilding the EVM from scratch with a focus on performance, including parallelization and improved consensus mechanisms, is suggested to address scalability issues.

Summary

In his opinion piece, Jay Jog, co-founder of Sei Labs, argues that the solution to scaling the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) lies not in Layer 2 solutions but in enhancing Layer 1 capabilities. He points out that despite the initial promise, Layer 2s have introduced their own set of problems, including centralization risks and interoperability issues, which fragment liquidity and complicate user experiences. Jog criticizes the industry's focus on transactions per second (TPS) as a performance metric, suggesting instead the use of "gas per second" to better reflect the computational effort required for different transaction types. He advocates for a return to improving Layer 1s, suggesting that rebuilding the EVM with performance in mind, through methods like parallelization and new consensus mechanisms, could significantly enhance scalability and efficiency. This approach, he believes, will not only solve the EVM's scalability issues but also foster a more developer-friendly environment, paving the way for the EVM's future growth and adoption.

cointelegraph
April 9, 2025
Crypto
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