Ethereum News Today: Ronin Shifts to Ethereum L2 to Boost Gaming Scalability

Ronin, the blockchain network originally built by Sky Mavis for the Axie Infinity game, is transitioning from a standalone sidechain to an Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) scaling solution. The move, first announced in late 2024, aims to improve scalability, efficiency, and interoperability by aligning with Ethereum's expanding ecosystem. The full migration is expected to be completed in the first or second quarter of 2026 [3].

Ronin was initially created in 2021 to support Axie Infinity, which required faster and cheaper transaction speeds than Ethereum could then provide. The network operated independently as a layer-1 blockchain but now plans to reposition itself within the Ethereum stack as a scalable L2 solution. Sky Mavis stated that Ethereum’s recent improvements in transaction costs and speeds have made it a more viable option for applications like gaming and NFTs [1].

The transition will be carried out in two phases, with the goal of integrating Ronin more closely into Ethereum’s infrastructure while maintaining the high-performance characteristics that made it popular. The network’s team emphasized that this shift positions Ronin as a “gamified engine” for Ethereum, enabling seamless interactions with broader Ethereum-based protocols and decentralized apps (dApps) [4].

Analysts suggest that the migration reflects a broader industry trend toward Ethereum L2 adoption, especially in gaming and NFTs. By leveraging Ethereum’s security and Ronin’s optimized throughput, the network can offer users low fees and fast transactions—critical for blockchain games. This also enhances composability, allowing for deeper integration with Ethereum’s financial and application ecosystems [5].

The decision to become an Ethereum L2 also highlights the ongoing competition among L1 and L2 solutions to support high-volume use cases. Ronin’s approach aligns with the vision of Ethereum maximalists, who advocate for a multi-layered architecture where Ethereum serves as the security layer and L2s like Ronin handle scalability [3].

For Axie Infinity players and developers, the change is expected to streamline cross-chain interactions and reduce friction in transactions. It also reinforces Ethereum’s role as a foundational layer for decentralized applications and games, while allowing developers to access Ethereum’s growing infrastructure without compromising on performance [5].

This transition is not a departure from Ronin’s core identity but rather an evolution within the Ethereum ecosystem. The network will retain its focus on gaming and NFTs while contributing to Ethereum’s broader scalability goals [4].

Source:

[1] https://x.com/psycheout86?lang=en

[2] https://x.com/jihoz_axie

[3] https://www.mexc.com/es/news/ronin-will-upgrade-from-a-sidechain-to-ethereum-l2-and-is-expected-to-be-completed-in-q1-or-q2-of/65385

[4] https://thebittimes.com/sky-mavis-set-to-turns-its-ronin-nft-chain-into-an-eth-l2-chain-tbt119178.html

[5] https://www.blockchaingamer.biz/features/opinions/22825/blockchain-gaming-weekly-roundup/