- Vitalik Buterin urges Ethereum rollups to bolster proof systems beyond Stage 2; only 3 protocols currently qualify.
- Amberdata cites $1.8K-$2.2K call options as ETH eyes breakout; resistance at $1,800 key to upward momentum.
- ETHNews analysts predict ETH/BTC ratio rebound as traders bet on Ethereum outpacing Bitcoin in mid-term market recovery.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has called for rollup protocols to strengthen their security frameworks beyond achieving decentralization milestones. In a May 2025 statement, Buterin emphasized that while progressing to “Stage 2” — a classification denoting advanced decentralization — remains important, the reliability of a rollup’s proof system is equally critical. “The quality of the underlying proof system matters too” he noted, referencing technical methods used to validate off-chain transactions.
Data from L2 Beat shows only three rollups, including Scroll and Taiko, have reached Stage 2 as of May 2025. Seven others, such as Base and Arbitrum, remain at Stage 1, indicating partial decentralization. Buterin’s comments suggest these protocols could face risks if their proof systems lack rigorous testing. His proposed model ties security improvements to reducing the probability of proof system failures, urging developers to prioritize robustness over checklist-based milestones.
ETH Price Outlook and Market Activity
Analytics firm Amberdata projects Ethereum could reach $2,200 by June, citing bullish options activity. Traders have accumulated call options — contracts betting on price increases — with strike prices of $1,800 and $2,200 for May and June expiries. The $1,800 level, last tested in April, currently acts as a resistance point. A sustained breach above this threshold could set the stage for a climb toward February’s $2,200 zone.
Amberdata also anticipates a rebound in the ETH/BTC ratio, suggesting Ethereum may outperform Bitcoin as broader market conditions improve. Technical charts show ETH’s price must consolidate above $1,800 to confirm upward momentum, a scenario contingent on macroeconomic stability and renewed investor confidence.
Buterin’s warnings arrive amid ongoing upgrades to Ethereum’s layer-1 and layer-2 ecosystems. His focus on proof systems aligns with broader efforts to enhance network resilience without sacrificing scalability.
For rollups, the path forward involves balancing decentralization targets with technical audits — a dual mandate that could shape Ethereum’s capacity to support high-stakes applications.
Ethereum (ETH) is trading around $1,807. Over the past 24 hours, it has seen a slight dip of approximately 1.26%, though its performance over the last week remains slightly positive with a gain of 2.56%. This recent fluctuation is relatively minor compared to its broader 90-day trend, where ETH has declined by over 35%, reflecting broader market uncertainties and potential macroeconomic pressures.
Despite this, Ethereum continues to command a substantial trading volume—over $11 billion in the past day—which indicates ongoing interest and liquidity in the market. The current price remains significantly below its all-time high of $4,891, showing that the asset is still in a recovery or consolidation phase following past bullish cycles.
Technically, ETH appears to be trading within a narrow range between $1,780 and $1,840, suggesting a lack of strong momentum in either direction. Market participants may be waiting on clearer macro signals or Ethereum network updates—such as protocol upgrades or increased institutional adoption—to fuel the next decisive move.
