Blobstream: Going independent of Ethereum Layer 2

Author: Haotian, Crypto Observer Source: X (Twitter) @tmel0211

Recently, CelestiaOrg launched Blobstream for the Ethereum ecosystem, which uses a light client form to help Ethereum developers easily build Layer 2. Apparently, they are trying to further weaken the dependence of Layer 2 developers on Ethereum in order to increase the weight of their own modular DA in the Ethereum ecosystem.

I personally do not deny the prospect of modular DA, but it is not a good thing to rush to “arch the fire” in the Ethereum Layer 2 camp.

Mainstream Layer 2 relies on Ethereum as the DA layer in the form of “calldata”, which is the result of a trade-off between security and consensus. If DA is stripped off from Ethereum, Layer 2’s consensus will lose the protection of the Ethereum mainnet.

Because if Ethereum does not participate in DA, the Ethereum mainnet will only become the asset settlement layer of Layer 2. If there is a premeditated evil in the Layer 2 consensus layer, even if it is a “bad debt”, the mainnet must “legally” start the settlement. In this way, instead of expanding Ethereum, Layer 2 has become a disruptor in the penetration and disintegration of Ethereum. Although the probability of such a is not high, in the long run, hidden dangers in this regard are not excluded. To some extent, Ethereum’s DA capabilities are limited, but waiting for Cancun to upgrade and always embrace Ethereum DA would be an absolute orthodox choice for Ethereum Layer 2.

At present, it is only seen that L2beat has removed a batch of non-Ethereum DA Layer 2, and if the trend of this DA leaving Ethereum intensifies, it is not ruled out that Vitalik will jump out and publicly intervene in the future.

If some chains themselves do Layer 2 is only a transition, the ultimate goal is to do independent chains, then Ethereum as the settlement layer, Celestia as the DA layer, and all other original components can be modularly packaged, then Ethereum DA is naturally no longer important.