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ETH What is a Layer 2 network?
Layer 2 (L2 for short) is a blockchain built on top of Ethereum and aims to enable faster and cheaper transactions without sacrificing Ethereum's security. Instead of processing each transaction directly on the Ethereum main network, L2 executes the transaction independently and then sends the compressed data batch back to Ethereum. This mechanism allows thousands of users to share the cost of a single settlement transaction. Ethereum officials describe Rollup as a system that moves execution down the chain while still publishing data to Layer 1 for security. Common examples include Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base.
How does L2 work?
Most Ethereum L2s use a "sequencer" to receive, sort, and execute user transactions. The sorter packages a large number of transactions into batches, compresses them, and ultimately submits the necessary data to Ethereum. Optimistic Rollup (such as Arbitrum and Optimism) relies on proof of fraud, while ZK-Rollup uses cryptographic proof of validity. It is based on this basic architecture that Arbitrum and Optimism are able to rely on Ethereum for settlement and data availability while providing significantly lower transaction fees than the Ethereum main network.
Since the Dencun upgrade, many Rollups have begun publishing transaction data via cheaper blobs rather than permanent Calldata, reducing one of their largest operating costs.
How does L2 network make money?
其核心商业模式相对简单：用户支付交易手续费 → L2 支付以太坊及基础设施成本 → 网络保留差额。当用户在 L2 上交换代币、转账 ETH 或使用 DeFi 应用时，他们需要向网络支付费用。这部分费用的一部分用于覆盖 L2 上的执行成本，另一部分则用于支付将交易数据发布回以太坊的成本。例如，Arbitrum 明确收取 L1 数据费，旨在补偿向以太坊发布交易批次的实体。扣除这些成本后剩余的部分即可成为排序器的利润。
集中式排序器还可能通过决定交易被包含的顺序来捕获 MEV（最大可提取价值）。这种收入模式也是部分 L2 项目探索去中心化或基于以太坊的排序技术的原因之一。此前的 Rollup 去中心化推进计划显示，Arbitrum 和 Base 已从集中式排序器中获得了可观的收入。
收入也可与更广泛的生态系统共享
部分 L2 采用收入共享协议运营。例如，Optimism 的 Superchain 要求 OP Chains 将以下两者中的较大值贡献给 Optimism Collective：链收入的 2.5% 或链上利润的 15%。这里的利润定义为手续费收入减去以太坊 L1 Gas 成本。这意味着像 Base 这样的网络不仅能从其自身活动中产生收益，还能将其经济收益的一部分回馈给更广泛的生态系统。
An important point to distinguish is that L2 revenue does not automatically flow to token holders. A network may generate millions in sorter fees, but its governance tokens do not have direct claims on that revenue.
