Optimistic Rollups stay a vital scaling resolution for layer one blockchains, regardless of the latest hype round newer applied sciences. Business specialists, together with Cartesi co-founder Felipe Argento, emphasize optimistic rollups’ continued dominance within the layer-two (L2) panorama.
Optimistic Rollups Elementary to Multi-Layer Blockchain Infrastructure
Optimistic Rollups (OR), as soon as hailed as a revolutionary scaling resolution for layer one (L1) blockchains, have seen their highlight considerably dim in latest months. Nonetheless, in accordance with trade specialists, their significance stays paramount, with information backing their continued dominance within the layer two (L2) ecosystem.
Felipe Argento, Co-Founding father of Cartesi, a platform specializing in application-specific rollups, emphasizes the enduring position of ORs. “The overwhelming majority of TVL (Complete Worth Locked) on L2 options remains to be secured by Optimistic Rollups,” Argento states. “This statistic alone demonstrates that they continue to be a elementary a part of the multi-layer blockchain infrastructure.”
Argento’s commentary aligns with reviews that present ORs proceed to take care of a big portion of the L2 market share. Knowledge pulled from sources that analyze TVL in L2 options reinforces the truth that though different L2 options are rising, that optimistic rollups, stay an enormous within the sector.
The Cartesi co-founder attributes the notion of fading hype to the inherent challenges of blockchain growth. “Sadly, producing hype is way simpler than writing sturdy, production-level code, which continues to be a persistent situation in our trade,” he notes. This actuality signifies that flashy, much less mature applied sciences can generally seize public consideration, overshadowing the regular progress of established options like ORs.
Nonetheless, Argento, who additionally serves because the Cartesi Basis Advisor, insists Optimistic Rollups (ORs) stay, and can proceed to be, a elementary software in scaling Ethereum. His assertions are supported by a Chainalysis article evaluating ORs and zero-knowledge (ZK) rollups. In response to information within the Sept. 10, 2024, article, the entire worth locked (TVL) bridged between Optimistic Rollups and Ethereum was roughly $186.4 billion, in comparison with $20.8 billion for ZK-rollups.
Equally, information from Dune Analytics reveals that whereas the TVL of Optimistic Rollups dropped from an August 2024 excessive of greater than $12 billion to roughly $6.55 billion by Feb. 10, 2024, it was nonetheless 15 occasions larger than that of ZK-rollups. This seems in keeping with Argento’s assertion that ORs stay dominant regardless of shedding “mindshare to options which are primarily pipe desires or distant guarantees.”
Full Onchain AI Implementation Stays Difficult
In the meantime, Argento claims Cartesi’s know-how is the one one that permits Linux to run onchain, enabling builders to make use of acquainted programming instruments for blockchain functions appropriate with Ethereum. He instructed Bitcoin.com Information that the know-how underpins two merchandise: Cartesi rollups, which help stateful functions, and Cartesi coprocessors, which deal with stateless computation. These coprocessors offload complicated duties from Solidity good contracts, enhancing effectivity and safety, and permitting functions to stay totally on layer one (L1).
Turning to the burgeoning intersection of synthetic intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency, which guarantees to yield groundbreaking options, Argento urged warning. He argues that implementing these applied sciences onchain might encounter appreciable technical hurdles that undermine their prospects. He defined:
Operating AI absolutely onchain stays fairly difficult from a technical perspective. Most initiatives encounter two main points when trying to transition from hype or narrative into real-world implementation: compatibility and scalability.
Argento’s perspective aligns along with his earlier emphasis on the significance of strong, production-level code over fleeting narratives. He argues that many initiatives combining AI and crypto battle to bridge the hole between theoretical ideas and sensible functions.
When requested concerning the perceived danger posed by L2 chains to native chains, the Cartesi co-founder stated blockchain software program growth, significantly for L2 options, calls for excessive warning and rigorous testing. That is wise given the immense duty of managing monetary belongings.
He additionally highlights the significance of minimizing new belief assumptions, aiming for options that rely solely on the elemental requirement of at the least one trustworthy actor. Moreover, he argues that leveraging confirmed, “battle-tested” Web2 software program can improve safety by avoiding the dangers related to reinventing established instruments.
Argento concludes that with cautious growth and a give attention to minimizing further belief necessities, L2 options don’t inherently create safety liabilities. As a substitute, they will doubtlessly enhance general safety by integrating sturdy, present software program.



