Ethereum

I'm at a Solana meetup to get the vibe. 

Solana folks believe that Solana is more decentralized. 

Their argument is Base sequencer is centralized and the same for pretty much any other L2. 

Is there some information on this?

Cc: @chaskin.eth

1/ Centralization isn’t binary. What matters is the properties it gives you

The key properties of a centralized sequencer (if the rollup is at least Stage 1) is there’s an exit window where you can withdraw if they try to steal your funds. Also if they censor you, a force transaction mechanism ensures either inclusion or an exit

Let me explain 🧵

/ethereum foundation | opinions are my own but more than likely they come from Vitalik's blog paragraph.xyz/@chaskin

2/ While it's true that neither Solana nor rollups with centralized sequencers are credibly neutral, a rollup with a centralized sequencer doesn’t have the same trust model as a blockchain with KYCd, foundation subsidized validators in data centers

4/ If a centralized sequencer starts censoring transactions, users can force an exit transaction

Even in the extreme case if a government subpoena shuts them down, users can still withdraw to Ethereum (but only if they exit before the window closes)

5/ In contrast, if a blockchain’s security depends on mostly KYC’d, subsidized validators, a subpoena or regulator’s decision can be game over, and users may lose access to their tokens entirely

Or they might be built on a foundation with long-term economic stability that's currently being subsidized by token holders, but will this last forever?

That’s the distinction that matters

6/ If an L2 isn’t Stage 1, make sure you understand the trust assumptions:

- Is there an exit window before upgrades?
- Who controls the upgrade keys?
- Can the team change security guarantees?
- How decentralized is fraud proof submission?

These are the key questions

7/ If an L2 isn’t Stage 1 yet, it’s not difficult to upgrade to be Stage 1.

The main requirement nowadays is ensuring that users have a guaranteed window to exit before any upgrade that could compromise security

8/ That said, I hope more rollups decentralize their sequencers so they can be more credibly neutral

One way is to be a based, another is to spin up an independent sequencer set like Aztec and Starknet are doing

3/ The key difference is that a centralized sequencer can't take your funds immediately because Ethereum L1 enforces a withdrawal period

If it’s Stage 1, the rollup operator can’t upgrade the bridge and steal funds without first giving users a chance to exit