Opinion: Ethereum needs to establish a value capture mechanism, otherwise it will become an outdated security layer

Optimism earns about $321 from L2 fees for every $1 paid to ETH. Ethereum is not a free lunch. L2 should pay rent. Ethereum's value is leaking to L2. Rollups are extracting fees, MEV, and liquidity, while ETH stakers are left behind. If this continues, Ethereum will become a stupid security layer, and L2s will be printing money. L2s don't need to use ETH as gas, but they do need to pay for Ethereum's security. Currently, they pay almost nothing. This needs to change. Ethereum is not a free lunch. L2s should pay rent. Base collected about $2.5 million in fees last month, paying less than $11,000 to Ethereum. Optimism earns about $321 from L2 fees for every $1 paid to ETH. L2 profits are incredible, but ETH sees almost no value. This is crazy. Each rollup should contribute to Ethereum in one of the following ways: - ETH staking deposits: L2 sequencers should use ETH as collateral - Settlement fees: Part of L2 fees should go to Ethereum stakers - MEV redistribution: MEV generated by L2 should be routed back to Ethereum If L2s don't use ETH as gas, they should still be required to stake ETH or deposit a portion of their token supply into an ETH treasury. This treasury would serve as an index of all rollup economies, making ETH the financial layer of the L2 ecosystem. Ethereum validators should protect rollups, not just L1. L2 sequencers should be required to stake ETH, and restaking should be used to extend Ethereum's security to all rollups. If L2s want Ethereum's trust, they need to pay for it. Every L2 needs liquidity to transfer assets across chains. ETH should be the default settlement asset for all cross-rollup transactions. Native gas tokens are fine, but ETH needs to become the liquidity layer. L2s don't have to be forced into one model. They can use their own tokens, their own sequencers, and their own economics. But Ethereum needs to capture value, either through ETH staking, fees, or direct linkage with rollup economies. Currently, Ethereum is subsidizing L2s while L2s extract all the benefits. This is unsustainable. Either Ethereum forces adjustments now, or it risks becoming an outdated security layer for rollups. Disclaimer: As a blockchain information platform, the articles published on this site represent only the personal views of the authors and guests, and are not related to the position of Web3Caff. The information in the article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice or offer. Please comply with the relevant laws and regulations of your country or region.