Vitalik Buterin Explains the Importance of L2 Proof System

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently shed light on the major security concerns of the Layer 2 network's Stage-2 phase.

Vitalik Buterin, a co-founder of Ethereum, highlighted the major security concerns of the Layer 2 network’s Stage-2 phase. Buterin was addressing a community member who suggested that they should name the Stage 2 phase as BattleTested.

Buterin stated that Stage 2 is not the only thing that matters for security. According to him, the quality of the underlying proof system is more important for security than reaching Stage 2.

Let’s delve deep into Vitalik Buterin’s mathematical explanation of the significance of the “underlying proof system” for L2 security.

Vitalik Buterin Explains the Importance of L2 Proof System

In a recent X thread, Vitalik Buterin, an Ethereum co-founder, shared insights into the underlying proof system of a Layer 2 network. He explained that the proof system plays a crucial role in determining the security of the Layer 2 network.

Buterin furthered that while Stage 2 is essential, it’s not the sole factor in measuring the quality of the system; the quality of the underlying proof system is equally critical. This highlights the need for a multi-faceted approach to security, considering both the stage classification and the strength of the proof system used. This development follows Buterin's recent proposal for Bitcoin-like simplicity for Ethereum.

Notably, the Ethereum co-founder's tweet was in response to a community member, Daniel Wang's suggestion.

What Did Daniel Wang Suggest?

On May 4, an Ethereum follower, Danile Wang, suggested a separate label for Stage 2- BattleTested- to ensure security. According to him, this term will indicate that the code has been tested in real-world stress conditions, which is an additional metric for evaluating the code's reliability.

Ethereum Co-Founder Unveils Security at Different Stages

Unveiling the security aspects of various stages in L2 scaling solutions, Vitalik Buterin shared a mathematical model to explain the transition to Stage 2. According to his explanation, the optimal stage shifts from Stage 0 to Stage 1 and eventually to Stage 2 as the quality of the proof system improves. This underscores the significance of having a robust proof system for achieving higher security levels. With a low-quality proof system, the Stage 2 implementation could result in lower security.

Moreover, Vitalik Buterin spotted the critical role of multisig proof systems. He asserted that multisig proof systems could significantly reduce the probability of proof system failure. He advocates for displaying proof system audits and maturity metrics alongside stage classification to provide a more comprehensive understanding of L2 security. By considering these factors, developers and users can make informed decisions about L2 solutions and their security guarantees.

Recently, Buterin revealed his plans for 2025, which included expanding the Ethereum network as well as enhancing its technical aspects.