Ronin, the blockchain network created by Sky Mavis, the company behind the popular game Axie Infinity, is strategically migrating back to the Ethereum ecosystem as a Layer 2 (L2) solution. This move marks a significant shift from its previous role as a standalone Layer 1 (L1) network and is projected to be completed between the first and second quarters of 2026.

Why the Return to Ethereum?

Ronin initially emerged as a sidechain of Ethereum in 2021 to address the need for faster and more affordable transactions for Axie Infinity. At that time, Ethereum's scalability was limited, resulting in high gas fees and slower processing times. However, the landscape has evolved, and Ethereum has made substantial improvements in transaction speed and cost-efficiency. The Ronin team acknowledges that "Ethereum is back" and is now a more attractive foundation for decentralized applications. This decision aligns with a broader industry trend where multiple L1 chains are migrating to L2 architectures to leverage Ethereum's security while achieving high transaction throughput.

Benefits of the L2 Migration

The transition to an Ethereum L2 solution offers several key advantages:

• Enhanced Security: By becoming an L2, Ronin inherits the robust security of the Ethereum mainnet, providing a higher degree of trust and immutability compared to its previous sidechain model. This addresses vulnerabilities that were exposed during a security incident in 2022.
• Improved Scalability: L2 solutions significantly increase transaction throughput, enabling Ronin to handle a much larger number of operations per second than the mainnet. This is crucial for supporting the demands of blockchain gaming and facilitating mass adoption. Ronin anticipates a 12x increase in transaction speeds.
• Lower Transaction Fees: By bundling multiple transactions off-chain and submitting a single proof to Ethereum, L2s drastically reduce gas fees for users. This leads to a more fluid and enjoyable gaming environment.
• Cross-Chain Interoperability: The migration enhances Ronin's ability to interact with other blockchain networks and assets within the Ethereum ecosystem. Integrating Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) will further strengthen asset bridging capabilities and developer engagement.
• Attracting Developers: Ronin aims to position itself as the "Ethereum game engine," attracting more third-party developers to deploy custom L2 chains. Developers will soon be able to deploy their own dedicated L2 chains on the Ronin mainnet, giving them greater control over their projects and ensuring optimal performance and scalability.

Ronin as a "Gamified Engine" for Ethereum

Ronin's vision extends beyond just gaming; it aims to become the "gamification engine" of Ethereum. This involves expanding its ecosystem to include gamified DeFi, risk-based SocialFi, tokenized physical collectibles, and even consumer AI. By becoming an Ethereum-aligned L2, Ronin can facilitate deeper integration with the broader Ethereum ecosystem, potentially unlocking new use cases across various sectors.

Future Plans for Axie Infinity

While Ronin's migration to Ethereum L2 is a significant development, Axie Infinity also has ambitious plans for growth and innovation in 2025. These include major updates designed to rally the Lunacian community and expand the platform's reach. Specific details are still under wraps, but the team has emphasized its commitment to creating a vibrant, community-driven gaming experience. Axie Infinity plans to continue introducing features and events that attract new and returning players.