Ethereum R1 is proving to be a unique approach to answer these increasing worries related to the prevailing layer-2 scaling solutions (L2s). On May 1, 2025, the project kicked off with a deep dive thread on X. It distinguishes itself by prioritizing public funding, community control, and alignment with Ethereum values. The Ethereum R1 team argues that current L2s often resemble new layer-1 blockchains, due to private allocations, opaque governance, and centralized control.
Contributors such as Jiajun, Ahmad, Kassandra, and Jünger have led the charge on Ethereum R1. Most importantly, their work has since been recognized by major influencers like Justin Drake and Vitalik Buterin. Different from most L2 projects, Ethereum R1 has no token presale and therefore no VCs.
The Ethereum R1 team is a huge proponent of general-purpose L2s! They envision these solutions as straightforward, readily supplantable, and independent of any centralized choke points or perilous governance structures.
General-purpose L2s should be commodities—simple, replaceable, and free from centralized dependencies or risky governance" - Ethereum R1 team
Ethereum R1 is based on Ethereum values, public funding and community control.
Ethereum R1 is our answer to that call" - Ethereum R1 team
To maintain the effort through 2030, Ethereum R1 is now open for donations. Taken together, this approach represents a firm commitment to avoiding the traps often tied to conventional funding strategies. These models frequently produce conflict of interest and encourage centralization control.
No token. No private sales. No governance cult. Just Ethereum values, public funding, and community control. - Ethereum R1
To sustain the initiative until 2030, Ethereum R1 is currently accepting donations. This approach reflects a commitment to avoiding the pitfalls of traditional funding models, which can lead to conflicts of interest and centralized control.
