Bartek Kiepuszewski is the Founder of L2BEAT.

In this episode, Bartek breaks down the current landscape of Ethereum’s L2 ecosystem, from how L2s are categorized by stage, to what defines true decentralization, and why transparency remains a part of the foundation of Ethereum's social layer.

------
🔗 Essential Show Links 🔗

► Newsletter: https://the-edge.xyz
► Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DeFiDad
► Apple: https://tinyurl.com/edgepod
► Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/edgepodspotify
► Linktree: https://linktr.ee/edge_pod
► Follow DeFi Dad: https://x.com/DeFi_Dad
► Follow Nomatic: https://x.com/Nomaticcap
► Learn DeFi: http://defidad.com/

------
The Edge Podcast Sponsor Resources

♦️ REDSTONE | THE LEADING MODULAR BLOCKCHAIN ORACLE

♉︎ TOROS | EXPONENTIAL GAINS WITH LEVERAGED TOKENS

🌅 NEUTRL | THE NEXT GENERATION OF CRYPTO-NATIVE YIELD

🌞 SOLSTICE | PERMISSIONLESS INSTITUTIONAL YIELD

🥞 SYRUPUSDC BY MAPLE | DEFI'S PREMIUM YIELD ASSET

🏦 MANTLE | INNOVATING THE FUTURE OF ONCHAIN FINANCE

🐡 PUFFER INSTITUTIONAL | STAKING SOLUTIONS FOR INSTITUTIONAL SCALE

🌊 RIVER | A CHAIN-ABSTRACTION STABLECOIN SYSTEM

⚙️ GEARBOX PROTOCOL | ONCHAIN LENDING REIMAGINED

------
Timestamps

0:00 - Intro
6:44 - Bartek’s background
9:57 - Is Ethereum headed in the right direction?
12:27 - Why Ethereum and L2s need L2BEAT
19:51 - L2BEAT, the Rotten Tomatoes of L2s
24:39 - Sponsor break
25:41 - How L2BEAT is funded as a public good
30:58 - Defining an Ethereum L2
34:35 - How does an L2 derive security from Ethereum L1?
42:11 - The three distinct stages of an L2
47:14 - What do Arbitrum and Base need to progress to Stage 2?
53:44 - Sponsor break
55:04 - Thoughts on based rollups
57:03 - Why might Robinhood have chosen to build an Ethereum L2?
1:00:30 - Justified criticisms of L2s
1:04:53 - What is Data Availability (DA)?
1:11:37 - The fundamental role of zk scaling Ethereum
1:16:19 - A future of zk-powered DeFi
1:20:06 - Closing

------
🔗 Guest Links 🔗

► L2BEAT website: https://l2beat.com/
► Support L2BEAT: https://l2beat.com/donate
► L2BEAT on X: https://x.com/l2beat
► Bartek on X: https://x.com/bkiepuszewski

------
All opinions expressed by hosts and podcast guests are solely their own opinions. Podcast guests and hosts may have positions in the assets or other matters discussed in this podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. Do your own research. This is not a recommendation or endorsement to buy any token(s) related to any platform(s) discussed.