Executive Summary
The Story So Far
Why This Matters
Who Thinks What?
The Ethereum Foundation has launched a new Ethereum Interop Layer (EIL) on November 18, aiming to significantly simplify the increasingly complex Layer 2 (L2) ecosystem. This initiative seeks to unify the growing number of Ethereum rollups, such as Arbitrum, Scroll, and Base, by enabling seamless cross-chain interactions without the need for traditional bridges or relayers.
How the Ethereum Interop Layer Works
The EIL is designed to integrate with ERC-4337, an account abstraction proposal from 2023 that allows user accounts to function like smart contracts. This foundational upgrade will transform Ethereum wallets into “multichain-native by default,” enabling users to interact directly with all Ethereum networks, including various L2s, from a single wallet interface.
This wallet-centric approach means users will no longer need to manage separate balances across different networks or be aware of the specific chain they are utilizing. Tasks like sending tokens, minting NFTs, or swapping assets between L2s can be performed with a single click, with the underlying chain coordination handled invisibly in the background.
Addressing Layer 2 Fragmentation and Improving UX
The rapid proliferation of Layer 2 solutions, while boosting scalability and reducing fees, has led to a fragmented Ethereum ecosystem. Assets and user interactions have become siloed across different chains, often requiring users to navigate complex setups and utilize bridges, which can introduce additional fees and security vulnerabilities.
By consolidating transaction logic directly into the user’s wallet, the Interop Layer eliminates the need for these bridges for cross-chain transfers. This aims to restore the perception of Ethereum as a single, integrated network, regardless of the specific Layer 2 being used, thereby streamlining the user experience significantly.
Preserving Ethereum’s Core Security Principles
A crucial aspect of the Ethereum Interop Layer’s design is its commitment to Ethereum’s fundamental security tenets, including self-custody, censorship resistance, and privacy. The wallet-centric model ensures that all cross-chain transactions are initiated and settled directly from the user’s wallet, bypassing the need for third-party intermediaries or trust assumptions.
The development of the Interop Layer has been guided by the Trustless Manifesto, unveiled in November 2025. This ensures users maintain full control over their assets, with all operations executed on-chain through verified smart contracts, thereby preventing centralization and upholding the decentralized nature of the Ethereum network.
Toward Unified Scalability
The introduction of the Ethereum Interop Layer represents a significant stride towards a more unified and user-friendly Ethereum experience. By facilitating seamless interactions across diverse Layer 2 networks, Ethereum aims to enhance both cross-chain composability and overall network scalability.
This development not only benefits end-users but also provides developers with a cohesive environment for building decentralized applications that can operate fluidly across the entire Ethereum Layer 2 landscape. Currently in its testing phase, the Ethereum Foundation is inviting the broader community of wallet providers, dapp developers, and network designers to contribute to its ongoing development, with the potential for it to become a transformative force for a decentralized and secure scaled Ethereum.
