AI-Native L2 Scaling: The Next Catalyst for On-Chain Growth

The blockchain industry's race to solve scalability has entered a new phase with the emergence of AI-native Layer 2 (L2) scaling solutions. These innovations are not merely incremental improvements but represent a paradigm shift in how networks balance throughput, cost efficiency, and value accrual. As institutional adoption accelerates and decentralized applications (dApps) grow in complexity, AI-native L2s are proving to be the linchpin for sustainable on-chain growth. This analysis explores how strategic infrastructure adoption-driven by AI-native L2s-is reshaping crypto network economics, with a focus on tokenomics, Total Value Locked (TVL), and fee revenue dynamics.

The Technical Edge: Throughput and Cost Efficiency

AI-native L2 solutions are redefining the boundaries of blockchain scalability. Ethereum's Lighter technology, for instance, achieved a record 24,192 transactions per second (TPS) in 2025, outpacing competitors like Base and Solana-based projects, according to a LiveBitcoinNews report. This leap in throughput is enabled by zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs), which compress validation processes while preserving privacy and security. Meanwhile, Solana's Sonami project addresses congestion through transaction bundling, reducing costs by up to 70% for high-frequency use cases like gaming and microtransactions, as noted in a CryptoSlate press release.

These advancements are not just technical feats-they are foundational to attracting enterprise-grade applications. For example, Aligned, an Ethereum L2 Rollup-as-a-Service (RaaS) provider, has partnered with Sovra and Loom Finance to deploy scalable infrastructure for 6 million users in Latin America, according to a Coinotag report. Sovra's integration of Aligned's ZK-based rollups enables sovereign identity stacks and Wallet-as-a-Service features, while Loom Finance leverages the same infrastructure to tokenize real-world cash flows, creating new revenue streams for enterprises, as the Coinotag report notes.

Strategic Infrastructure Adoption: From Scale to Value Accrual

The true test of any scaling solution lies in its ability to translate technical efficiency into economic value. Here, AI-native L2s are demonstrating their potential to drive TVL growth, fee revenue, and token utility.

Take Bitget Wallet, which reported a 523% surge in TVL for stablecoin yield products in Q3 2025, as reported in a CoinEdition article. This growth was underpinned by Aave's Base L2 integration, which reduced gas fees and improved liquidity for on-chain yields, the CoinEdition article notes. Similarly, Aligned's RaaS model is enabling institutional clients to deploy customized L2s with minimal overhead, creating a flywheel effect: scalable infrastructure attracts users, which in turn generates TVL and transaction fees, as the Coinotag report notes.

Token economics models are also evolving. The BASE token proposal for Ethereum's Base network exemplifies this shift. By positioning BASE as a quote currency on decentralized exchanges (DEXs), the design creates demand through liquidity requirements and governance rights (veBASE), as described in a Medium article. Machine learning algorithms dynamically adjust incentive distributions based on network health metrics, ensuring that value accrual aligns with ecosystem growth, the Medium article notes. This contrasts sharply with traditional L2 tokens like ARB or OP, which often struggle with speculative utility and token unlocks, as the Medium article notes.

The Road Ahead: Institutional Adoption and Network Resilience

As AI-native L2s mature, their impact on network resilience and long-term value accrual will become even more pronounced. Projects like PAR Technology are integrating AI-native platforms to drive enterprise efficiency, with organic ARR growth hitting $298.4 million in Q3 2025, according to a Seeking Alpha article. While not a blockchain project per se, PAR's focus on AI-driven operational insights mirrors the broader trend of leveraging AI to optimize infrastructure-whether on-chain or off.

For crypto networks, the key takeaway is clear: strategic infrastructure adoption is no longer optional. AI-native L2s that combine high throughput with adaptive tokenomics-like Aligned's RaaS or Base's BASE model-are best positioned to capture value in a competitive landscape. Conversely, projects that fail to integrate AI-native scaling risk stagnation, as seen with Aptos' declining TVL and weak fee revenue, as noted in a Coinotag article.

Conclusion: A New Era of On-Chain Growth

AI-native L2 scaling is more than a technical solution-it is a catalyst for network value accrual. By enabling institutional-grade scalability, reducing friction in DeFi, and redefining token utility, these solutions are laying the groundwork for the next phase of blockchain adoption. Investors should prioritize projects that demonstrate strategic partnerships, adaptive economics, and real-world use cases, as these are the hallmarks of sustainable growth in 2025 and beyond.