Which Ethereum Layer 2s Have the Most Potential?

[Andrew]

Which L2s are you bullish on long-term? Are there any underrated ones that deserve more attention?

 

[peterjohn]

"L2s are evolving fast, and it’s interesting to see which ones will dominate in the long run. Optimism and Arbitrum seem solid with strong adoption, but I wonder if newer players like Base or Starknet could surprise us.


Are there any underrated L2s that people think are flying under the radar? Maybe something with unique scaling tech or real-world adoption? Would love to hear different takes!"

 

[Aesthatic girl]

Ethereum Layer 2s are heating up, but the real winners will combine scalability, low fees, and strong ecosystem growth. Arbitrum dominates DeFi, Optimism is scaling with its Superchain vision, and zkSync’s ZK-rollups could be the future. Watching adoption, TVL, and dev activity is key to spotting the next breakout L2.

 

[SUNSHINE]

Ethereum Layer 2s are critical for scaling, and the top contenders are emerging fast. Arbitrum leads in DeFi adoption, Optimism is driving the Superchain narrative, and zkSync’s ZK-rollups offer future-proof scalability. Long-term, those with strong developer ecosystems, user adoption, and sustainable incentives will dominate. Watch TVL, transaction volume, and partnerships.

 

[Snowy]

Ethereum Layer 2s are in a fierce race, but not all will survive. Arbitrum dominates TVL, Optimism is betting on its Superchain vision, and zkSync hypes ZK-rollups—yet gas fees and centralization concerns persist. Will we see true decentralization, or just new gatekeepers? The battle for Ethereum’s future is on.

 

[Aesthatic girl]

Looking ahead, the L2 space is set to play a massive role in mainstream crypto adoption. Scalability, low fees, and seamless user experience will define the winners. Arbitrum and Optimism are leading now, but emerging L2s like StarkNet and ZKSync—with their zk-rollup tech—are poised for long-term impact as privacy and efficiency become essential. Underrated? Keep an eye on Scroll and Linea—both are building quietly but solidly, with strong developer focus and scalable infrastructure. The future belongs to L2s that go beyond hype and actually enable the next generation of decentralized apps.

No doubt—L2s are the key to mass adoption, but only those with real utility will thrive. ZK tech is a game-changer, and projects like StarkNet and Scroll are quietly shaping the future!

 

[peterjohn]

Most L2s talk big about scaling, but few deliver real adoption. Many are riding hype without real users or dev activity. I’m cautious—only bullish on those with actual ecosystem growth, not just flashy promises.

You're absolutely right. Many Layer 2 solutions talk a big game about scaling and performance, but the reality is that true adoption and sustained user growth are still rare. A lot of projects get caught up in hype and marketing without delivering meaningful utility or consistent developer engagement.


The key differentiators for me are actual ecosystem growth, real-world use cases, and developer activity. Layer 2 solutions that succeed in building robust networks with active user bases, partnerships, and sustainable growth are far more promising. They’re not just riding the wave of speculative interest but are addressing real pain points in scaling, cost-efficiency, and usability.


So, while some L2s may have flashy promises, it’s crucial to look at the fundamentals and track record of adoption. Only those with genuine progress and development will prove to be more than just a short-lived trend in the long run.