Vitalik Buterin urges Ethereum Layer 2 networks to cut withdrawal times under one hour, warning long waits undermine security and adoption.
Ethereum Withdrawals: Vitalik Buterin Pushes for Instant L2 Exits
ETH’s co-founder Vitalik Buterin is turning up the heat on Layer 2 (L2) networks 🚀. In a detailed post on X, Buterin said withdrawal times must drop below one hour — or risk undermining Ethereum’s entire security model.
Currently, many L2s require long wait periods before users can move funds back to Ethereum mainnet. This, Buterin warned, drives people toward multisigs and MPC-based shortcuts with “unacceptable trust assumptions.” He stressed that without faster exits, “we lose the point of L2s over separate L1s.”
The statement came just after L2BEAT confirmed Base, Optimism, Scroll, Unichain, Kinto, and Inco passed Stage 1 security requirements. While Buterin praised this progress, he said the real breakthrough will be fast, secure, and low-cost withdrawals.
ZK Proofs Could Change the Game
Buterin called for a pivot from optimistic proofs to ZK proofs, which can confirm transactions much faster without sacrificing security. He floated a 2-of-3 hybrid model combining ZK, OP, and TEE systems where two out of three (ZK, TEE) enable near-instant exits.
ZK-EVM proof tech is advancing quickly, with better formal verification tools now available. But Buterin admitted high gas costs for proof submission remain a challenge.
ETH’s price reacted positively, climbing 5.9% in 24H to $4,047.92. If L2s adopt Buterin’s withdrawal vision, it could supercharge user trust and Ethereum adoption worldwide.
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