Vitalik's Change in Pi Ratio Rollup Strategy: Changes Driven by Technological Evolution

Vitalik Buterin recently expressed a more positive stance on native rollups (rollups with on-chain precompilation) through his latest writings. This shift reflects a significant policy change driven by technological developments and the evolution of the Ethereum ecosystem. His change in perspective is seen as a signal pointing toward the future direction of L2 solutions, beyond mere opinion change.

Why Precompilation of Pi Approximation Rollups Was Overlooked in the Past

The main reason Vitalik previously opposed Pi approximation rollups was due to technical limitations. At that time, precompilation options required developers to choose definitively between ZK mode and Optimistic mode. This was a serious trade-off. One side allowed fast withdrawals but involved risks with self-proofs, while the other relied on Ethereum’s security but required a long waiting period of 2 to 7 days.

Since ZK-EVM technology was not yet mature, most L2 projects prioritized security, opting for the latter. This weakened the composability within the Ethereum ecosystem and led to the proliferation of alternative solutions like multi-signature bridges.

Adoption of ZK on Ethereum L1 and Reassessment of Pi Approximation Rollups

The current situation has fundamentally changed. The timeline for Ethereum to fully adopt ZK technology at the L1 level and the implementation plans for precompilation of Pi approximation rollups are gradually aligning. This indicates that the major obstacles of the past are likely to be resolved.

At the same time, the community’s valuation is shifting. Developers and protocol designers are increasingly recognizing “synchronized composability” as an important value for L2. This is expressed through technical efforts to combine rollup-based solutions with low-latency pre-verification mechanisms.

The Future of Pi Approximation Rollups Through Modular Design

Vitalik emphasized that the design of precompilation for Pi approximation rollups should not be rushed in the implementation phase. His approach embodies the philosophy of modular design.

When developers build rollups that add small extensions to EVM, reusing the EVM part of the Pi approximation rollup precompilation can greatly improve development efficiency. This involves only customizing the proof system for new features and connecting it to existing components in a standardized manner. Such an approach is expected to provide a solid foundation for Pi approximation rollups to establish a meaningful presence within the L2 ecosystem.