The Ronin Network, originally created for the popular NFT game Axie Infinity, announced plans to transition from an independent blockchain to an Ethereum layer-2 solution by Q2 2026. This strategic reversal comes three years after the network's 2021 departure from Ethereum seeking better performance for gaming applications.
Ronin's development team cited Ethereum's growing institutional adoption as a key factor in their decision. "Ethereum is winning the war for Wall Street's attention and capital," stated their official announcement. The network's improved transaction speeds and costs since 2021 make the return technically feasible, while Ethereum's 【$4,790】 recent price high demonstrates its financial market traction.
——This marks a significant shift in blockchain strategy—— said industry analysts, noting how Ethereum's evolving ecosystem now supports both financial and gaming applications through its layer-2 solutions.
The transition will occur through carefully planned phases: 1. Infrastructure adaptation (2025 Q4) 2. Full protocol integration (2026 Q1-Q2)
Remarkably, the move transforms Ronin from a gaming-specific chain to a general-purpose platform. The network's native token (RON) will maintain its utility while gaining enhanced interoperability with Ethereum's DeFi ecosystem.
Ethereum's institutional appeal has surged with: • Ether treasury companies going public • Marketing firms like Etheralize launching • Stablecoin regulation pushing activity on-chain
Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan observed that traditional investors prefer "equity-wrapped" crypto assets, creating perfect conditions for Ethereum's growth. The GENIUS bill's restrictions on yield-bearing stablecoins may further drive 【DeFi activity】 on Ethereum-based networks like Ronin.
Ronin's migration illustrates how blockchain applications increasingly converge. What began as a solution for NFT gaming now positions itself at the intersection of: • GameFi • DeFi • Institutional crypto products
As one developer noted: "The lines between gaming tokens and financial instruments blur when your in-game assets can collateralize loans." This evolution suggests Web3's future lies in interoperable ecosystems rather than isolated chains.