It’s Not Tezos L1 vs Etherlink — It’s All Tezos

Why Etherlink fits into the bigger picture, and what we might be overlooking

Let’s be honest: there’s been a growing tension in the Tezos community lately. Some are excited about Etherlink, while others feel like it’s distracting from the core L1 or even undermining the very ecosystem they’ve been supporting for years.

If you’ve felt confused or even skeptical, you’re not alone. The messaging around Etherlink hasn’t always been clear. And when something new shows up looking and feeling quite different from what you’re used to, it’s natural to question it.

What follows is my perspective based on what I’ve observed. I’m not speaking on behalf of any team or project, just sharing how I’ve come to understand Etherlink’s place in the bigger picture.

From where I stand, Etherlink is not a separate project that competes with Tezos. It’s not an attempt to replace the L1. To some it may feel like it’s taking the attention away from the L1, but I’d argue the differ in that it’s actually enhancing it by showing the world what the L1 is capable of.

Where the Confusion Comes From

Etherlink feels different. It speaks the language of Ethereum: Solidity, Metamask, EVM. That can create the impression that it’s external, or even a pivot away from the values of Tezos. Combine that with some unclear communication and a fast-moving roadmap, and it’s easy to see why people have concerns.

But at its core, Etherlink is a smart rollup built directly on the Tezos L1. It’s secured by Tezos consensus, governed through the same mechanisms, uses tez as the main token, and is part of the long-term evolution of the chain.

The Bigger Picture: Tezos X

To really understand Etherlink, we have to understand what Tezos X is aiming for.

Tezos X is a major upgrade that will reshape how Tezos works under the hood. Rather than having multiple rollups, the plan is to have one canonical rollup, a single, unified environment that supports multiple runtimes inside it.

Think of it like a strand of DNA. Inside that single chain are different sequences, TezLink, Etherlink, JSTZ, each with a specific purpose. They speak different languages, attract different kinds of developers, and offer different ways to build.

But they’re all part of the same system, bound together and able to interact seamlessly within it. A contract or app running in one runtime will be able to communicate with another, without needing external bridges or duplicated infrastructure.

Another example, would be to think of it like a massive Lego baseplate. TezLink, Etherlink, JSTZ, each of these environments is like a unique Lego piece that snaps into that foundation. Each has its own shape, language, and audience, but they’re all designed to fit together.

And here’s the key: they’re not just sitting side by side, they’re built to connect. Contracts and applications running in one runtime will be able to interact with those in another, without the need for complex bridging. It’s modular, yes, but it’s also deeply interoperable.

That means environments like:

  • TezLink: where the state of the L1, including all transaction history and apps, will migrate, still using Michelson and Tezos-native wallets.

  • Etherlink: an EVM-compatible rollup to onboard Ethereum devs and users.

  • JSTZ: a JavaScript VM rollup to make blockchain development accessible to an even broader range of builders.

These won’t be separate rollups, but coexist within the same canonical rollup. They’ll share the same data availability layer, governance, token, and security, while giving users and developers different tools and interfaces to build and interact with.

So instead of fragmenting Tezos, this approach is meant to broaden access while keeping everything connected under one roof.

Use What You Like — That’s the Point

Don’t want to use Etherlink? That’s totally fine. You can stick with Tezos-native wallets, tools, and apps. That choice will always be there.

The beauty of Tezos X is that it’s being designed for interoperability without forcing uniformity. It’s about giving builders and users the freedom to use what fits them best, without cutting themselves off from others.

Imagine Etherlink users being able to interact with marketplaces like objkt.com or TEIA. And vice versa. That’s where we’re headed. We’re not quite there yet, but Etherlink is a step toward that future.

We Can’t Afford to Turn This Into a Civil War

The worst outcome here wouldn’t be that Etherlink “fails.” It would be that we, as a community, divide ourselves so much that we lose sight of what we’re trying to build.

Tezos has always been about thoughtful evolution. On-chain governance. Security. Smart design choices. Etherlink, TezLink, and JSTZ are all part of applying those principles at scale.

Let’s not treat this as a zero-sum game. Growth in one part of the ecosystem doesn’t have to mean loss in another.

There’s still strong activity and ongoing initiatives on Tezos L1, especially in the art scene, which remains one of the chain’s strongest and most vibrant communities. That continues to matter deeply. But if we want to welcome people from outside the current Tezos ecosystem, we need to meet them where they are. Etherlink and other environments make it easier for those users and developers to join, without asking them to change everything about how they already build or interact with blockchains.

And while Etherlink may feel separate right now, it’s important to remember that any value created there is designed to feed into the broader Tezos X ecosystem, which includes everything we know and use today on L1. The long-term goal is interoperability, not isolation. Oh, and by the way, this goal might not be as “long-term” as we have been thinking:

<a href="https://medium.com/media/acf57105b0278d43ccfdb2b9f67803e2/href">https://medium.com/media/acf57105b0278d43ccfdb2b9f67803e2/href</a>

I know this might not be what some people want to hear. But it’s not Tezos L1 vs Etherlink.

It’s all Tezos all the way down.

Different frontiers, same destination. We all want the same thing: for Tezos to grow, evolve, and deliver on the vision we’ve believed in since day one.

Let’s keep supporting each other and let’s keep building. Together.

It’s Not Tezos L1 vs Etherlink — It’s All Tezos was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.