Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin Says Layer-2s Using Validium Are Not Genuine Rollup Solutions

The co-founder of Ethereum ETH/USD, Vitalik Buterin, said blockchain's validiums are not genuine rollup solutions.

What Happened: According to Cointelegraph, Buterin, in an X post on January 16, responded to a proposition made by Daniel Wang, the founder of Ethereum rollup solution, Taiko.

If an Ethereum rollup uses other data chain for DA, it is an Ethereum validium. https://t.co/bFMfUNYlLf

— danielwang.eth🥁 (@daniel_taikoxyz) January 16, 2024

Wang suggested that an Ethereum rollup that utilizes another data chain for data availability, such as the modular blockchain Celestia TIA/USD, could be classified as a validium. Buterin validated Wang’s viewpoint, noting that validiums do not possess the inherent security assurance of rollups, which enable users to recover their assets regardless of any conspiracy against them.

The Ethereum scaling solution, Validium, uses zero-knowledge proofs to enable off-chain transactions while harnessing Ethereum’s mainnet for security and verification. Unlike ZK-rollups, validium networks do not post transaction data to Ethereum; instead, they post cryptographic proofs of transaction legitimacy. This method aims for greater scalability by eliminating the need for storing comprehensive transaction data on-chain.

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Why It Matters: Despite the support for validiums, some, like Ryan Berckmans, within the Ethereum community, disagree with Buterin’s statements, arguing that validiums are indeed layer 2 networks. Berckmans suggested that the definition of ‘L2’ can be molded as required in this emerging industry, and its most practical definition would include both rollups and validiums.

Yes, but validiums are L2s.

This is a new industry, we can define "L2" to mean whatever we want.

The maximally useful definition of L2 includes both rollups and validiums.

That's why L2Beat lists validiums today.

L2 = rollup or validium https://t.co/WwtkAV2sAE

— Ryan Berckmans ryanb.eth (@ryanberckmans) January 16, 2024

The discussion comes amid Buterin’s proposal to increase Ethereum’s block gas limit by 33.3%, a move intended to enhance the network’s capacity, on January 12, 2024.

Price Action: At the time of writing, ETH was trading at $2,514 down 1.34% in the last 24 hours, according to Benzinga Pro.

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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.