Ethereum scaling solution R1 is here! Focused on fundraising without issuing coins, the new generation L2 emphasizes decentralization and public welfare.

Recently, a group of independent developers launched a new L2 scaling solution "Ethereum R1". Notably, this solution emphasizes no issuance of coins, no fundraising, and no centralized governance, relying entirely on community donations for support, while also stressing the spirit of "returning to the essence" of scaling. This project also reflects the community's concerns about the current mainstream L2 increasingly deviating from the spirit of decentralization.

Ethereum R1, which does not follow the traditional L2 route: no private placements, governance coins, purely relying on donations.

R1 was initiated by a group of developers in the Ethereum ecosystem, but is not related to the Ethereum Foundation, and announced the project on Twitter (X) on May 1, claiming:

"A universal L2 should be simple, substitutable, without centralized dependence, and have no risk governance, just like a commodity."

The team further criticized the current issues of most L2s, such as private token distribution, opaque governance, and centralized operations. These have caused L2s, which were originally created for Ethereum scaling, to resemble "new public chains" rather than Ethereum's scaling solutions.

After the Cancun upgrade: Mainnet transaction fees plummet by 99%, community questions if L2 is stealing grassroots value

Looking back at March 2024, Ethereum underwent the Cancun ( Dencun ) upgrade, significantly reducing L2 transaction fees.

Although this is a positive for users, it also led to a 99% drop in revenue for the Ethereum mainnet in September. By April 2025, the average transaction fee on the mainnet is only about $0.16, marking a new low in five years.

Since Ethereum's transaction fees are dynamically adjusted based on "usage demand" and "network traffic", once the mainnet traffic declines, the revenue will also significantly shrink, leading many observers to question:

"Is L2 growth built upon the sacrifices of the mainnet?"

( Ethereum Dencun Cancun upgrade completed, multiple L2s are continuously corresponding updates )

Community opinions are polarized, and the debate over the L2 scaling solution continues.

Although some people question that this model marginalizes the mainnet, there are also industry insiders who hold a positive view, stating that Ethereum L2 scaling solutions are actually an advantage:

"Compared to a single chain that has to bear all functions, Ethereum provides more options through L2, allowing users to choose a scaling solution that suits their needs."

Is R1 an ideal return or a real challenge?

The emergence of Ethereum R1 can be seen as a response to the current L2 ecosystem's "loss of decentralization spirit." It has no coin, no fundraising, and even lacks a governance structure, operating through donations, emphasizing neutrality, simplicity, and censorship resistance, which has indeed attracted considerable attention.

But in a capital-dominated, token-mechanism-driven Web3 world, is not issuing coins truly being a pure stream or being on the margins? This clash of technology and ideology is just about to begin.

This article introduces the Ethereum scaling solution R1! It focuses on fundraising without issuing coins, and the new generation L2 emphasizes decentralization and public welfare, first appearing in Chain News ABMedia.