Vitalik Buterin Warns Against Copy-Paste EVM Chains and Weak Bridges

TLDR

• Vitalik Buterin warned developers against launching copy-paste EVM chains that lack innovation.
• He criticized weak Ethereum integrations that exist only for appearance and not for technical value.
• Buterin urged teams to create architectures that offer new capabilities and not just convenience.
• He supported app chains with strong Ethereum ties but opposed those that operate mostly independently.
• Buterin encouraged building privacy-preserving systems and low-latency environments to expand blockchain functionality.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has urged developers to avoid creating repetitive EVM chains and superficial layer-2 bridges, emphasizing the need for genuine innovation, not convenience-driven replication, as he warned that the network risks stagnation if patterns persist.

Developers Default to Familiar Patterns Over Innovation

Vitalik Buterin addressed developers’ choices in a recent post on X, expressing concerns over the repetition in chain designs. He pointed out that too many teams are building EVM-compatible chains with similar features and week-long optimistic bridges. He stated, “Too many projects are defaulting to familiar technical patterns rather than exploring new design space.”

He argued that this approach is limiting and resembles early DeFi clones, like the frequent forking of protocols such as Compound. Buterin criticized this trend and said copying once seemed productive but has now become a barrier to creativity. He called out projects that fail to rethink architecture and rely instead on deploying what he called “copypasta” EVM chains.

He stressed that building an EVM chain without proper bridging to Ethereum is worse, as it lacks integration and purpose. According to Buterin, Ethereum already scales at the base layer and doesn’t need fragmentation into countless layer-1s. He warned that chasing familiarity may harm the long-term sustainability of the Ethereum ecosystem.

Ethereum Builders Should Focus on New Capabilities

Buterin emphasized the importance of pushing Ethereum’s capabilities beyond basic compatibility and superficial integrations with minimal design thinking. He suggested that developers should build systems that provide new and meaningful blockchain features. These could include privacy-first designs, low-latency systems, and application-specific execution environments.

He explained that innovation lies in enhancing what blockchains can do, not repeating existing infrastructure. Buterin said, “Build something that truly adds new value,” outlining this as a core principle for project credibility. He noted that Ethereum can support various use cases without needing a flood of new chains.

He highlighted AI use cases as examples where Ethereum needs better performance, not replication. These applications demand lower latency and higher throughput, areas where innovation is vital. Yet, he warned that the focus should be on system design, not faster deployment or quick adoption.

Projects Must Reflect True Integration with Ethereum

Buterin pointed to a growing gap between how projects present their Ethereum integration and what actually exists under the hood. He said that some projects market themselves as Ethereum-connected but only establish minimal links. He stated, “Credibility comes from architectures that genuinely earn that label.”

He used the example of prediction markets to illustrate proper integration, where resolution and user data remain on Ethereum L1. In such models, high-frequency trading can happen on rollups that directly read L1 state. This approach shows full integration and maintains a direct technical link with Ethereum.

He criticized projects that operate independently but add basic bridges just to appear Ethereum-compatible. Buterin explained that such practices are misleading and fail to demonstrate real alignment. He stressed the importance of ensuring a project’s connection to Ethereum is not just for optics.

He mentioned app-specific chains for institutional use, including registries and social platforms. These systems could still align with Ethereum by posting proofs to its chain. He clarified, “While such chains are not Ethereum, they still advance a similar vision.”

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