Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin stated that currently, many newly created EVM chains are simply copying existing architectures or connecting to Ethereum via optimistic bridges with a one-week delay. This approach is similar to repeatedly copying Compound in governance; although it is "comfortable," it exhausts innovation in the long run, leading the ecosystem into a dead end. If the new chains are not connected to Ethereum's optimistic bridge (i.e., purely alternative L1s), the situation is even worse. What the ecosystem truly needs are projects that bring new features, such as privacy protection, application-specific efficiency, or ultra-low latency.

The form of "Ethereum connection" must match the actual functionality. For example, prediction market applications can issue and settle markets and manage user accounts on L1, but transaction execution occurs in some Rollup or L2 system, with signature and market state verification done on L1. Architectures deeply connected to L1 should be prioritized rather than formal bridging just for recognition. Another category of "application chains" can verify algorithm execution on government, social media, or gaming platforms, ensuring updates are authorized and executed according to pre-committed rules through technologies like STARK. Although these chains are not fully Ethereum, they can provide algorithm transparency and minimize trust, promoting economic activities that were previously impossible.

New projects should achieve two points: first, truly bring innovation, not just copy existing EVM chains; second, the public image should match actual functionality, and the project's claimed connection degree to Ethereum should accurately reflect its technical and ecological dependencies, ensuring ecosystem interoperability and long-term value.