Layer 2: A salvation for the overloaded blockchain
When Ethereum was just starting, no one thought it would ever 'choke' on the number of users. But here we are: high fees, slow transactions — all of this is a result of Layer 1 overload.
What is Layer 1?
This is the base layer of the blockchain. Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana — all of them are Layer 1. They process transactions, provide security and decentralization. But they do not scale infinitely — more users = higher load = more expensive and slower.
And this is where Layer 2 comes in — an overlay that works on top of Layer 1 and unloads it.
How does it work?
Layer 2 processes many transactions 'off-chain' and then sends only the result to Layer 1. It's like collecting coins in a piggy bank and then depositing a large sum at the bank.
Popular Layer 2 solutions:
Optimism and Arbitrum — use Optimistic Rollups.
zkSync, StarkNet — based on Zero-Knowledge Rollups (more on that later).
Polygon — technically a sidechain, but often also referred to as L2.
What is all this for?
Lower fees — transactions are several times cheaper.
Higher speed — can scale to millions of users.
Maintains the security of Layer 1 — L2 uses it as an anchor.
Why is Layer 2 not competition, but assistance?
They do not replace Ethereum, but strengthen it. Layer 2 + Layer 1 = scalable, secure, and decentralized Web3.
