Ronin Network, the blockchain originally developed for Axie Infinity, will transition from an independent layer-1 chain to an Ethereum layer-2 rollup by Q2 2026. This strategic migration, announced in two phases, aims to leverage Ethereum's enhanced transaction speeds and lower fees while addressing security vulnerabilities exposed by Ronin's $625 million hack in 2022.
The move marks a reversal from Ronin's 2021 spin-off from Ethereum and is driven by Ethereum's growing institutional adoption, including Wall Street's increasing interest and the emergence of Ethereum treasury companies. Ronin cited Ethereum's strengthened position—highlighted by Ether's recent $4,790 price high—and regulatory shifts like the U.S. GENIUS bill (which may drive DeFi activity to Ethereum) as key factors.
With $450 million in total value locked (TVL) and backing from institutional partners like Coinbase and Compound, the migration prioritizes scalability for Web3 gaming and broader applications. Ronin will implement a new developer incentive structure and adopt security frameworks similar to Polygon and Arbitrum, aiming to bolster network resilience and interoperability within Ethereum's ecosystem.