Ethereum Foundation Proposes Interop Layer to Unify L2 Ecosystem

The Ethereum Account Abstraction team has introduced the Ethereum Interop Layer (EIL), a framework designed to address the fragmentation within Ethereum's Layer 2 (L2) rollup ecosystem. The proposal aims to create a unified experience, making the diverse L2s function as a single, cohesive chain.

Built upon the foundation of ERC-4337 account abstraction, the EIL shifts cross-chain logic from third-party intermediaries to the user's wallet and on-chain protocols. This approach seeks to simplify user interactions and enhance the overall decentralization and trustlessness of the Ethereum network.

Eliminating Third-Party Intermediaries

The core concept of the Ethereum Interop Layer (EIL) is to remove the technical complexities users face when moving between different Ethereum L2 rollups. The EIL leverages ERC-4337 account abstraction, enabling users to initiate and finalize cross-chain transactions directly from their wallets. This eliminates the necessity for users to engage with third-party bridges, relayers, or solvers, which are currently the standard for cross-chain operations.

Under this proposed system, a single user signature would be sufficient to execute actions across multiple chains. This includes transferring assets for minting NFTs or swapping tokens, without requiring the user to manage the underlying chain-level logistics. The system is designed to allow wallets to automatically aggregate user balance information and handle inter-chain gas fees.

The proposal emphasizes that this architecture maintains self-custody and censorship resistance. The operational logic remains on-chain and under the user's control, avoiding reliance on any opaque off-chain infrastructure.

A long-standing objective for Ethereum has been to function as a global, permissionless computing platform. However, challenges related to high fees and network congestion led the ecosystem to prioritize a roadmap centered on rollups. While this strategy has successfully scaled the network and reduced transaction costs through platforms like Arbitrum, Base, and Scroll, it has also resulted in fragmentation.

Enhancing the Average User Experience

Currently, users often find themselves navigating multiple, isolated Ethereum instances. Moving assets necessitates understanding token locations across chains, utilizing bridges, and depending on third-party operators. This user experience is comparable to the early days of the internet before HTTP standardized access to various servers. The reliance on intermediaries for bridging also reintroduces risks associated with centralized exchanges, contradicting Ethereum's core goal of disintermediation.

EIL's strategy is rooted in a wallet-centric interoperability model. Instead of decentralized applications (dApps) needing to manually integrate with every new chain, the logic will be embedded within the wallet and the on-chain protocol. This approach draws a parallel to web browsers, positioning wallets as universal interfaces for seamless navigation across the ecosystem.

From a technical standpoint, the system adheres to a "Trustless Manifesto." While liquidity providers are necessary to facilitate cross-chain fund movements, the protocol is engineered so that these providers do not directly interact with users or view their specific transactions. The proposed setup aims to preserve privacy and prevent censorship. The trust boundary has been minimized by replacing reliance on bridge operators with verifiable smart contract code and open-source wallet logic.

The adoption of the Ethereum Interop Layer is expected to significantly influence how developers create wallets and applications. Wallets will inherently become multichain-native, allowing new rollups to integrate and achieve immediate compatibility without requiring developers to undertake bespoke integration efforts. This shift will enable builders to concentrate on enhancing user experiences rather than focusing on cross-chain infrastructure.

For the end user, this signifies a return to simplicity: a single wallet and a single signature for executing actions across a vast network. According to the proposal, this unification is a crucial next step for Ethereum to evolve from a collection of disconnected L2s into a singular, cohesive "world computer." The Ethereum Interop Layer aims to combine the technical achievements of rollups with a consistent user experience. By employing account abstraction to eliminate intermediaries, the development team seeks to restore the feel of a single chain to the fragmented Layer 2 landscape. The Account Abstraction team is actively inviting wallet developers, network designers, and the broader community to collaborate on implementing this standard, ensuring Ethereum remains a seamless and trustless global platform.