Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has raised concerns that many new layer-2 networks and blockchains are starting to look too similar, with teams often copying existing models instead of trying something new.
In a blog post published on Thursday, he said that since Ethereum’s main network is improving and expanding its capacity, developers should focus on building genuinely useful innovations rather than launching more “copy-paste” chains.
Buterin encouraged builders to explore areas like privacy tools, faster applications, and more efficient systems. His comments are part of a larger discussion in the crypto world about whether rapid growth is really leading to new ideas or just making the market crowded with projects that don’t really offer anything new.
Buterin warns against “copy-paste” EVM chains
Vitalik Buterin highlighted that the blockchain space is starting to feel repetitive. Many new projects are launching EVM-compatible chains that follow the same playbook which include similar bridges to Ethereum and long withdrawal times, instead of bringing new ideas to the table.
He compared it to the early DeFi days, when endless copies of protocols slowed real progress. According to him, this “copy-paste” approach is hurting creativity and keeping infrastructure stuck.
He also took aim at standalone EVM chains with little real connection to Ethereum, saying the industry doesn’t really need more separate layer-1 networks that fail to push innovation forward.
Vitalik Buterin calls on developers to prioritize innovation
Vitalik Buterin instructed blockchain developers to stop copying other systems and instead make projects that really add new features.
He gave examples of where innovation could really help, like networks that protect privacy, applications that run more efficiently, and ultra-low-latency execution.
Buterin also spoke out against projects that say they are closely related to Ethereum but only have weak or superficial ties to it.
He stressed that teams should be honest about how much they depend on Ethereum and not make their ties seem stronger than they are.
His message tells builders to focus on making real improvements and being honest about where they stand. This pushes the ecosystem toward solutions that offer real value instead of just copying existing chains or features.