Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, proposed a framework in 2022 to categorize the stages of rollups based on their journey towards decentralization. This framework aims to illustrate that rollups often start with centralized components, acting as “training wheels,” before gradually transitioning to a fully decentralized model.
Rollups are a layer 2 scaling solution that allows for transactions to be processed off-chain, reducing congestion on the Ethereum mainnet. By segregating transaction data, rollups enhance scalability and efficiency without compromising security.
Buterin’s criteria for classifying rollups highlight the importance of gradual decentralization in the development of these solutions. By gradually removing centralized elements and empowering users with more control over the protocol, rollups can achieve a higher degree of decentralization.
As the Ethereum ecosystem continues to evolve, the implementation of Buterin’s proposed stages for rollups can serve as a roadmap for developers and users alike. By following a structured approach towards decentralization, rollups can unlock their full potential as a scalable and secure solution for Ethereum and other blockchain networks.
