Modular: Is it a Performance Boom or a Fragmentation Trap?
Modular (Modular Blockchain) has become a representative of the new trend. Projects like Celestia and EigenLayer propose the concept of 'layered decoupling,' breaking down functions such as execution, consensus, and data availability to address the scalability pain points of single chains.
Theoretically, modular chains can bring stronger performance and more flexible architecture. But the problem is: **the more 'decoupled' it is, the more it relies on each other, and the higher the coordination costs.** Especially when multiple chains share the DA layer, sorting layer, and proof system, if one link goes wrong, it may implicate the entire chain.
A more practical issue is: **extremely unfriendly to developers.** There are already enough new public chains today, and further dividing the modular ecosystem into dozens of components will only complicate development and user experience further.
Modular is not a pseudo-proposition, but it is still in the 'architectural experiment' stage. The key to future success lies in whether it can encapsulate complexity at the bottom and return simplicity to the top.
Otherwise, the end of modularization may very well be a maze of fragmentation.
