Technology is improving so is the Bitcoin scalability if the developer really is seeking out a true solution for the problem. Remember there is no permanent in this world but change, scalability for Bitcoin is just a script away. If developer find out and created a script that will make Bitcoin scale, then it can refute the statement of never reaching the adoption level because of what it is today.
It's not easy like you thought but I agree there is room for technical developments but so far, with what we have seen, Layer 2, side chains are solutions temporarily now.
For on chain solutions, we still have future ahead but it's not too easy for developers to find solutions technically.
If you are keen on temporary solutions, see some solutions and discussions in
I quote myself too. Security, Scalability, Speed are in a pyramid and if you scale one thing up, one or two others will be affected down.
Generally when transaction speed is main concern, and priority is the speed, a blockchain must sacrifice other things including security. It's my understanding and if I move big fund, I don't pick these side chains that I only consider to use with small transactions.
Like if you want to get convenience and save your time, you use cross chain bridge, let's accept bigger risk. It's convenient, I agree but I don't like to take bigger risk.