From 'Ethereum’s sidekick' to standalone stars: How Vitalik Buterin’s latest pivot is forcing Layer 2s to grow up

The transformation of Ethereum from being viewed merely as a powerful platform accompanied by a secondary player, often referred to as 'Ethereum's sidekick', to the emergence of independent and highly successful projects in the blockchain ecosystem is quite remarkable. This shift underscores the significant impact of Vitalik Buterin's recent strategic pivot, which is compelling Layer 2 solutions to evolve and mature into fully-fledged, self-sustaining entities. As these Layer 2s gain autonomy, they are not only enhancing their own capabilities but also contributing to the broader vision of scalability and efficiency within the Ethereum network. source: https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/02/04/from-ethereum-s-sidekick-to-standalone-stars-how-vitalik-buterin-s-latest-pivot-is-forcing-layer-2s-to-grow-up