Buterin and Yakovenko Clash Over Ethereum Layer-2 Security

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko have presented conflicting views on the security of Ethereum’s layer-2 networks.

This has sparked debate within the crypto industry over whether L2 solutions truly inherit robust security from Ethereum’s base layer.

Buterin Defends L2 Security Model

Buterin emphasizes that Ethereum layer-2 solutions maintain strong security against 51% attacks. They inherit finality guarantees from the base layer. In a recent post on X, he stated: “A key property of a blockchain is that even a 51% attack cannot make an invalid block valid. This means even 51% of validators colluding (or hit by a software bug) cannot steal your assets.”

However, Buterin acknowledged limitations when validator sets are trusted beyond chain-controlled functions.

“This property does not carry over if you start trusting your validator set to do other things, that the chain does not have control over,” he added. “At that point, 51% of validators can collude and give a wrong answer, and you don’t have any recourse.”

Major L2 networks, including Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, and Worldchain, collectively hold over $35 billion in locked value. They rely on Ethereum’s security architecture. The Ethereum validator set currently exceeds one million active participants, significantly outnumbering Solana’s approximately 2,000 validators. Proponents argue this bolsters resistance to coordinated attacks.

Yakovenko Questions L2 Security Assumptions

Yakovenko directly challenged Buterin’s assertions.

“The claim that L2s inherit eth security is erroneous. 5 years into the L2 roadmap, wormhole eth on solana has the same worst case risks as eth on base and generates as much revenue for eth L1 stakers,” he stated on X(Twitter).

The Solana co-founder questioned whether technical limitations prevent L2s from achieving desired security properties.

“Yes there is something fundamental about L2s that makes it difficult to actually achieve the desired security. That’s why it hasn’t happened in 5 years. Or are you suggesting that all the L2 teams are lazy or dumb?” Yakovenko wrote.

He identifies three primary concerns with current L2 implementations. First, L2 networks expose vast attack surfaces with complex code bases, which prove difficult to audit comprehensively. Second, multi-signature custody arrangements allow funds to be moved without user consent. This occurs if signers collude or face compromise. Third, off-chain processing mechanisms centralize control, contradicting blockchain’s core decentralization principles.

Yakovenko has proposed developing a specialized bridge that positions Ethereum as a layer-2 for Solana. This aims to facilitate seamless asset transfers between ecosystems while addressing security concerns.

Proliferation Raises Ecosystem Concerns

The Ethereum layer-2 landscape has expanded significantly. L2Beat reports 129 verified networks alongside 29 additional unverified ones. This proliferation has generated debate over whether it fosters innovation or creates inefficiencies.

CoinGecko data shows that in the first half of 2025, Ethereum declined 25.0% while Solana dropped 19.1%. However, Solana outperformed Ethereum by 26.2% in January before both assets faced broader market pressure.

This reflects shifting market sentiment. Industry observers note that as layer-2 networks evolve, initiatives like data availability sampling and shared sequencing aim to mitigate centralization risks. The debate underscores ongoing challenges in balancing security with scalability.