Layer 2 networks handle 58% of DeFi transactions with 5.8 million weekly users, establishing themselves as Ethereum’s “second mainnet” infrastructure.
EIP-9698 proposal increases gas limit 100-fold to 3.6 billion, potentially boosting Ethereum mainnet TPS to 2000 while reducing costs 90%.
Traditional institutions deploy $48 billion through Layer 2, with BlackRock and Fidelity using networks for tokenized funds and real-world asset offerings.
Layer 2 networks transform Ethereum ecosystem with 580M weekly users and $48B TVL. EIP-9698 upgrade promises 2000 TPS while ZK-Rollups and Optimistic solutions reshape DeFi, gaming, and RWA markets.
EXPLOSIVE DATA: LAYER 2 BECOMES ETHEREUM’S “SECOND MAINNET”
Layer 2 networks achieve unprecedented user adoption milestones. As of June 2025, leading Layer 2 networks including Arbitrum and Optimism reach 5.8 million weekly active addresses. Furthermore, these networks handle 58% of all DeFi transaction volume. This means nearly 6 out of every 10 on-chain transactions now occur on Layer 2 infrastructure.
Traditional institutions create massive capital flow effects through Layer 2 adoption. BlackRock and Fidelity deploy tokenized funds through Layer 2 networks, increasing monthly locked value by 37% to $48 billion. This amount equals 40% of Ethereum mainnet’s total value locked.
Performance metrics demonstrate clear superiority over competitors. Fidelity reports show the Ethereum ecosystem achieves a comprehensive TPS of 8,500, significantly exceeding Solana’s 3,200 TPS. Layer 2 networks contribute 90% of this throughput capacity, establishing themselves as the true “scaling engine.”
TECHNICAL REVOLUTION: FROM “TRAFFIC JAMS” TO SUPER HIGHWAYS
EIP-9698 mainnet upgrade ambitions
Dankrad Feist proposes EIP-9698 with revolutionary gas limit increases. The proposal plans to raise gas limits from 36 million to 3.6 billion over four years. This upgrade could boost Layer 1 theoretical TPS to 2,000, directly challenging Solana’s performance capabilities.
Cost reductions reach dramatic levels through this upgrade. If implemented, mainnet transaction costs would drop from an average of $5 to $0.50, significantly lowering development barriers for high-frequency DApps.
Layer 2 architecture evolution
Rollup technologies demonstrate competitive advancement through two major approaches. Optimistic solutions like Arbitrum use fraud proof mechanisms that balance security with efficiency. Block confirmation times shrink to under 3 seconds, while Uniswap V3 deployment increases liquidity by 200%.
ZK-powered networks like zkSync implement zero-knowledge proofs achieving mathematical-grade security. NFT trading fees drop to $0.01, with daily processing volume reaching 27% of the entire Ethereum ecosystem activity.
Hybrid settlement breakthrough occurs through innovative cross-layer integration. Uniswap V4 implements “L2 liquidity aggregation with mainnet settlement” on the Base network. Trading slippage compresses to 0.05%, making cross-layer operations nearly invisible to users.
MARKET CONFIDENCE: THREE INDICATORS REVERSE PESSIMISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Futures trading volume approaches Bitcoin levels
July 1st data reveals Ethereum futures trading volume reaches 98% of Bitcoin’s volume, compared to only 40% in 2024. This reflects structural shifts in trader risk preferences toward ETH.
Staking ETFs and institutional positioning
BlackRock’s BUIDL fund grows to $30.2 billion with 95% allocation to ETH ecosystem projects. Hedge fund Trend Research leverages 133,600 ETH worth approximately $358 million through Aave, declaring “ETH at $2,600 remains the bottom.”
Valuation bottom signals emerge
ETH’s MVRV-Z Score drops to -0.18, entering historically severe undervaluation territory. This matches levels seen before the 2020 DeFi explosion, indicating a 98% probability of cycle bottom positioning.
ECOSYSTEM EXPLOSION: HOW LAYER 2 RESHAPES INDUSTRY LANDSCAPE
DeFi democratization transforms accessibility
Previous mainnet conditions forced retail users away with $50 swap fees. Currently, Arbitrum enables Uniswap trading fees of only $0.10. Small payments and social applications like CyberConnect achieve zero-gas interactions for simple actions like likes and comments.
Gaming and RWA achieve mainstream breakthrough
Blockchain gaming experiences revolutionary cost reductions. Ubisoft develops blockchain games on StarkEx with near-zero item trading costs. Gods Unchained card instant trading volume increases by 300% monthly.
Real estate tokenization becomes accessible through Layer 2 deployment. BlackRock issues property funds on the Base network, reducing minimum subscription thresholds from $1 million to $10,000.
Major players commit fully to Layer 2
Robinhood announces plans to build a proprietary Layer 2 network based on Arbitrum infrastructure. Coinbase’s Base chain attracts 100,000 developers within three months while TVL surpasses $3 billion.
CHALLENGES AND FUTURE: SOBER REFLECTION AMID CELEBRATION
Short-term risk factors
Liquidity fragmentation creates significant user experience challenges. Over 60 active Layer 2 networks form isolated “islands” requiring cross-chain bridge protocols like Connext. Asset transfer experiences remain fragmented across different networks.
Regulatory scrutiny targets privacy features of ZK-Rollup technology. The US SEC evaluates whether ZK-Rollup privacy attributes constitute “unregistered securities,” potentially triggering compliance storms across the industry.
Long-term breakthrough directions
Modular architecture solutions emerge through specialized service providers. Celestia provides data availability services while Layer 2 networks focus on execution layers. This division of labor enhances overall system efficiency.
Sovereign Rollup development enables enterprise customization. Companies can deploy private Layer 2 networks like JPMorgan’s Onyx chain, creating “mainchain plus dedicated chain” hybrid ecosystems.
FUTURE OUTLOOK AND STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS
Layer 2 revolution fundamentally transforms Ethereum’s scalability limitations while maintaining security guarantees. The combination of technical upgrades, institutional adoption, and user experience improvements creates unprecedented growth opportunities for the entire blockchain ecosystem.
However, success requires addressing current fragmentation issues and regulatory uncertainties. Cross-chain interoperability solutions and clear regulatory frameworks will determine whether Layer 2 networks can fulfill their transformative potential in the long term.
The data clearly indicates Layer 2 networks have moved beyond experimental phases into production-ready infrastructure. With major institutions deploying billions of dollars and users conducting millions of transactions daily, Layer 2 has become an integral part of Ethereum’s infrastructure rather than an optional enhancement.
This transformation positions Ethereum to compete effectively with high-performance blockchains while preserving its core security and decentralization properties. The next phase will likely see continued consolidation around leading Layer 2 solutions and further institutional adoption as costs continue decreasing and user experiences improve significantly.
〈Layer 2 Revolution: Ethereum’s Invisible Transformation〉這篇文章最早發佈於《CoinRank》。
