🔹 Major Layer 2 Projects & Their Predictions

1. Arbitrum (ARB)

Now: Largest L2 by TVL (>$18B in 2025). Strong DeFi adoption.

Prediction:

2025: $0.30 – $5.00 (depending on market conditions).

2030: Could reach $4 – $8 if adoption continues.

Drivers: Cheap transactions, broad dApp ecosystem, active developer community.

2. Optimism (OP)

Now: ~$6B TVL, powering Base (Coinbase’s chain) and other OP Stack chains.

Prediction:

2025: $2 – $4 range.

2030: Potential $6 – $10 if OP Stack becomes widely adopted.

Drivers: Ecosystem of modular L2s, strong institutional backing, revenue-sharing governance.

3. Base (Coinbase L2)

Now: One of the fastest-growing L2s, TVL >$1.8B. Popular with retail + institutions.

Prediction:

2025: Continued rapid adoption, could overtake Optimism in TVL.

Long-term: Positioned as the “retail gateway L2” for millions of Coinbase users.

Drivers: Easy fiat on/off ramps, regulatory clarity via Coinbase.

4. zkSync Era

Now: ~$6.5B TVL, ~1,000+ dApps. zkEVM tech.

Prediction:

2025: Likely top 3 in L2 race, though price predictions vary.

2030: zk-rollups expected to dominate—zkSync could be a market leader.

Drivers: Fast finality, zkEVM, strong developer adoption.

5. StarkNet (STRK)

Now: ~$4.2B TVL. Built on STARK proofs (scalable and secure).

Prediction:

2025: Moderate growth, $2–$5 potential if token stabilizes.

2030: Strong institutional adoption use-case could push it higher.

Drivers: Powerful cryptography (STARKs), developer tools, enterprise appeal.

📊 Big Picture Forecast

2025: Arbitrum + Optimism remain dominant, zkSync + Base rising fast.

2027–2030: zk-rollups (zkSync, Starknet, Polygon zkEVM, Linea) expected to overtake optimistic rollups due to efficiency + security.

Long-term: Multiple winners — DeFi (Arbitrum), Institutions (Optimism/Base), zk scalability (zkSync/StarkNet), Gaming (Immutable X).