Ethereum Foundation Launches Interop Layer for Seamless Layer 2 Integration

TLDR

• Ethereum Foundation’s Interop Layer aims to simplify interactions across Layer 2 ecosystems.

• The new layer allows seamless cross-chain transactions without requiring bridges or relayers.

• Ethereum wallets will become “multichain-native by default” under the Interop Layer.

• The layer is powered by ERC-4337 account abstraction, preserving Ethereum’s core security principles.

The Ethereum Foundation has unveiled a new initiative to simplify Ethereum’s complex Layer 2 (L2) ecosystem. The Ethereum Interop Layer (EIL) aims to unify the growing number of Ethereum rollups, enhancing the user experience and interaction across various Layer 2 networks.

Released on November 18, the Ethereum Interop Layer addresses fragmentation in the Ethereum network caused by the increasing number of L2 rollups like Arbitrum, Scroll, and Base. The new protocol allows users to interact seamlessly with Ethereum’s L2 ecosystem without having to deal with individual chains or use bridges and relayers, which have been common barriers in the current ecosystem. By removing these complexities, the Ethereum Foundation hopes to create a simpler, unified user experience for all Ethereum-based applications.

How the Ethereum Interop Layer Works

The Ethereum Interop Layer is designed to work with ERC-4337, a 2023 account abstraction proposal that makes user accounts behave like smart contracts. This upgrade allows Ethereum wallets to become “multichain-native by default,” which means users can interact with all Ethereum networks, including L2s, directly from their wallet.

With this system, users will no longer need to worry about which specific chain they are using or manage separate balances across networks.

The wallet-centric approach aims to simplify Ethereum’s increasingly fragmented ecosystem. For example, users will be able to send tokens, mint NFTs, or swap assets between L2s with a single click, with the underlying chain coordination managed invisibly behind the scenes. This eliminates the need for manual intervention, providing a streamlined experience for both users and developers.

Addressing Layer 2 Fragmentation and Improving UX

One of the biggest challenges in Ethereum’s expansion is the fragmentation caused by the rapid growth of Layer 2 solutions. Although rollups have improved scalability and reduced fees, they have also created siloed ecosystems where assets and user interactions are separated by different chains.

Navigating these separate chains requires awareness of each chain’s unique setup, and the use of bridges can introduce additional fees and security risks.

The Interop Layer addresses these issues by consolidating transaction logic directly into the user’s wallet. This solution removes the need for bridges, making cross-chain transfers seamless and efficient. By doing so, Ethereum aims to restore the simplicity of interacting with a single unified blockchain, ensuring that Ethereum feels like one integrated network, regardless of the specific Layer 2 being used.

Preserving Ethereum’s Core Security Principles

A key aspect of the Ethereum Interop Layer is its adherence to Ethereum’s core security principles, including self-custody, censorship resistance, and privacy.

By using a wallet-centric approach, the system ensures that all cross-chain transactions are initiated and settled directly from the user’s wallet, without the need for third-party intermediaries or trust assumptions.

The Trustless Manifesto, unveiled in November 2025, has also guided the development of the Interop Layer. It ensures that users maintain full control over their assets, while all operations are executed on-chain through verified smart contracts. This system prevents centralization and preserves the decentralized nature of the Ethereum network.

Ethereum’s Next Steps Toward Unified Scalability

The Ethereum Interop Layer marks a critical step toward a more unified, user-friendly Ethereum experience. By enabling seamless interactions between different Layer 2 networks, Ethereum aims to improve both cross-chain composability and overall scalability.

This development not only enhances the user experience but also provides developers with a unified environment for building decentralized applications (dapps) that can operate seamlessly across Ethereum’s Layer 2 landscape.

The project is still in its testing phase, and Ethereum’s broader community of wallet providers, dapp developers, and network designers are being called to participate in its development. If successful, the Ethereum Interop Layer could be a game-changer for the ecosystem, helping to scale Ethereum while keeping it decentralized and secure.

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