Uniswap Founder Thinks Ethereum Layer-2 Transactions Should Not Be Immutable, Here’s Why

Uniswap Founder Hayden Adams says Ethereum layer-2 transactions should not be immutable. Instead, ETH Layer-2 should be run as semi-decentralized businesses.

Public blockchains must remain immutable. That is, once transactions are posted, they can never be reversed. This property gives these networks the “censorship-resistance” feature, an edge over traditional platforms like PayPal.

However, over the years, questions have arisen about when transactions can be reversed or developers can intervene.

Pre-Story Explained: What’s The Deal With Immutability Versus Upgradability on Ethereum Layer-2?

In 2016, following the disastrous hack in Ethereum, a transaction was rolled back, forcing the first network split, resulting in Ethereum Classic.

However, the question of immutability versus upgradability remains contentious. Immutability ensures security and trust. On the other hand, upgradability, which is inevitable in platforms like Ethereum, allows for improvements and adaptations to changing conditions.

As the Ethereum ecosystem spawns, the question of immutability is being asked, this time regarding transactions posted on layer-2 platforms like Arbitrum or Base.

All Ethereum layer-2 transactions are processed off-chain and ordered mostly by a centralized sequencer. Because of this, they are immutable until they are posted on the mainnet.

The lack of immutability means they can be changed or altered, which is anti-blockchain and a source of debate.

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Ethereum Layer-2 Transactions Should Be Immutable

In a post on X, Hayden Adams, the founder of Uniswap, shared his controversial opinion that Ethereum layer-2 transactions should not be immutable.

The founder said, thus far, the Ethereum main net is “not immutable” ten years after going live.

One of my more “controversial” opinions is that Ethereum L2s shouldn’t be immutable

It’s been 10 years and L1 is not ready to be immutable. How can we expect L2s to never upgrade again or force mass migrations? Makes zero sense

It’s hard to do better than working fault proofs…

— hayden.eth 🦄 (@haydenzadams) June 9, 2024

In the post, Adams argued that expecting layer-2 platforms to remain unchanged or forcing mass migrations with every network upgrade in the main net is, in his view, “makes zero sense.”

This assessment is because it doesn’t introduce flexibility among developers and node operators, especially considering that upgrades are continuous and inevitable.  

Adams said the best approach to address this glitch involves “working fault proofs and delayed upgrades.”

The “superior” solution might be a canonical fault or validity-proof implementation built directly on the mainnet in this system.

Ethereum Layer-2: Balancing Immutability And Upgradability

With this, platforms like Base or Optimism can upgrade in tandem with major changes in the main net.

If implemented, there would be a consistent upgrade mechanism across the Ethereum ecosystem, including layer-2 platforms.

(L2-BEAT)

One observer agreed with Adams, noting that in a world with dozens of popular rollups, most could operate as “semi-decentralized businesses.”

This space (layer-2s) allows users to have immutability guarantees and transact cheaply.

While ideal, Adams thinks this will only be possible if there is a “canonical L1 sequencerless implementation.”  

Once it is available, there will be more confidence in the immutability of layer-2 transactions, subsequently fast-tracking scaling efforts for Ethereum transactions.

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Disclaimer: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital.

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Dalmas Ngetich

Crypto Journalist

Dalmas is an experienced journalist with over a decade in crypto, technology, and blockchain. His work and that of his partners have been featured in top news outlets, including Forbes, investing.com, and Entrepreneur, among others. He is passionate about crypto... Read More

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