- Ethereum is working to make Layer 2 networks feel like a single chain.
- The plan includes an interoperability layer, open intents, and new ERC standards.
- The goal is to create a faster, simpler, and more unified experience for all users.
The Ethereum Foundation has set its sights on one of the biggest challenges facing the blockchain world today—how to make multiple Layer 2 networks feel like one seamless chain. In late August 2025, the foundation revealed its latest initiative, which includes a new interoperability framework and a set of open standards designed to improve user experience across Ethereum’s growing ecosystem of rollups and scaling solutions.
Why Layer 2 Interoperability Matters
Over the past few years, Ethereum has become the backbone of decentralized finance, NFTs, and countless blockchain applications. But as adoption grew, so did network congestion and fees. This is where Layer 2s—scaling solutions like Optimism, Arbitrum, and Starknet—stepped in. These networks process transactions off the main Ethereum chain and then settle them back on Layer 1, offering lower fees and faster speeds.
While this model has been effective, it also introduced fragmentation. Each Layer 2 works slightly differently, and moving assets or data between them has often been a confusing, technical process for users. The Ethereum Foundation now aims to solve this by building tools that make all these networks feel like parts of a single, unified system.
The Ethereum Interoperability Layer
At the center of this effort is the planned Ethereum Interoperability Layer (EIL). This framework is being designed as a trustless, censorship-resistant messaging system that allows different Layer 2s to communicate smoothly. The idea is simple: if a user wants to move funds, trade, or interact with an app on another rollup, the process should feel as natural as if it were happening on the same chain.
According to the foundation, a public design document for the EIL will be released in October 2025. This will mark the first step toward creating a shared infrastructure that developers and wallets can adopt, paving the way for a more fluid Ethereum ecosystem.
Open Intents Framework: Simplifying User Actions
Alongside interoperability, the foundation has introduced the Open Intents Framework (OIF). This system is meant to reduce complexity for end users. Instead of worrying about which chain or rollup a transaction should happen on, users will be able to simply express their goal—or “intent.” For example, someone could state they want to swap tokens or move assets, and the framework will handle the logic behind the scenes.
By standardizing how intents are written and executed across different Layer 2s, OIF could dramatically simplify the experience for everyday users while also giving developers a common language to build around.
Standardization Through New ERCs
To support these initiatives, the Ethereum Foundation has also introduced a set of new Ethereum Request for Comment (ERC) standards. These proposals cover areas like interoperable addresses, intent formats, multi-call flows, and neutral messaging interfaces. Each is designed to ensure that apps, wallets, and bridges can integrate with Layer 2s in a consistent way.
If widely adopted, these standards could help remove one of the biggest friction points in the Ethereum ecosystem: the lack of a unified framework for communication and asset management across rollups.
The Roadmap Ahead
The interoperability framework is part of a larger roadmap that the foundation calls the “Improve UX” initiative. It is structured into three stages: Initialization, Acceleration, and Finalization.
The Initialization phase, which is underway now, focuses on launching the Open Intents Framework, designing the Ethereum Interoperability Layer, and developing interoperability standards. Next comes Acceleration, where the focus shifts to reducing latency, improving Layer 1 confirmation times, and making rollup settlements faster. Finally, the Finalization phase will explore advanced technologies such as real-time SNARK proofs and improved consensus methods to push finality down to a matter of seconds.
This phased approach shows that the Ethereum Foundation is not just addressing short-term usability challenges but also laying the groundwork for Ethereum’s long-term scalability.
What This Means for Users and Developers
For users, these changes could mean a future where interacting with Ethereum feels much simpler. Whether you are swapping tokens, moving funds across Layer 2s, or using decentralized apps, the experience will become faster, smoother, and less technical. For developers, it creates a clearer framework to build applications that work seamlessly across the Ethereum ecosystem.
If successful, this effort could strengthen Ethereum’s position as the leading platform for decentralized applications by reducing fragmentation and creating a more connected experience across chains.
Conclusion
The Ethereum Foundation’s new interoperability framework marks an important milestone in the network’s evolution. By working to unify Layer 2s, simplify transactions through intents, and standardize communication across rollups, Ethereum is taking significant steps toward a more user-friendly future. As the roadmap progresses, the vision of Ethereum functioning as one seamless, interconnected chain is closer than ever.
