Cryptocurrency giants are now starting to recognize the presence of a new player in Ethereum‘s rise: Layer-2 scaling networks. According to analysts at asset management giant VanEck, Ethereum’s Layer-2 scaling networks will reach a market value of 1 trillion dollars within six years and will consist of thousands of chains for specific use cases. This expectation has already increased interest in Layer-2 projects in the cryptocurrency market, and the growth of related projects is evident.
Analysts Assess Ethereum Layer-2’s Value
Interest in Ethereum’s Layer-2 scaling networks has already started to create excitement. According to a report dated April 3 by VanEck’s senior digital assets investment analyst Patrick Bush and head of digital assets research Matthew Sigel, these networks offer solutions to Ethereum’s fundamental challenges. Designed to overcome Ethereum’s limited capacity, these networks provide significant advantages in data processing, storage, and computation.
The growth of Layer-2 networks within the Ethereum ecosystem has already reached notable levels. Currently, there are 46 Ethereum Layer-2 networks with a total value of 39 billion dollars. The largest among these networks is Arbitrum, with a value of 18 billion dollars.
Scalability: A Critical Hurdle
Analysts predict that the revenue Ethereum will generate with Layer-2s will be significantly higher compared to the main network. At this point, Ethereum’s efforts to increase its data processing capabilities through Layer-2s are gaining importance. In particular, the “Blobs” feature introduced with the recent Denchu update seems to be effective in reducing transaction fees.
According to analysts’ forecasts, new Layer-2 projects to be launched in the next 18 months could raise the value of Ethereum’s Layer-2 ecosystem to 100 billion dollars. Many of these projects will be networks for thousands of specific use cases, in addition to general-purpose Layer-2 networks. These specialized networks will be divided according to sectors, applications, or functions and will serve specific purposes such as decentralized social media.
Ethereum’s rise with these Layer-2 networks could signal a new era in the cryptocurrency world. Layer-2 networks are adding unique value to the cryptocurrency ecosystem by further enhancing Ethereum’s potential. In the near future, Ethereum’s Layer-2s could become one of the most important players in the cryptocurrency market. Given the high expectations, it would be beneficial for investors to consider Layer-2 focused altcoin projects as competitors.