Developers within the Ethereum Foundation ecosystem have proposed a new framework called the Ethereum Economic Zone (EEZ) to address growing fragmentation across layer-2 networks. The initiative, led by Gnosis and Zisk, aims to unify infrastructure while preserving settlement on the Ethereum base layer.
The proposal comes as Ethereum’s scaling strategy has led to the proliferation of rollups, which, while increasing throughput, have also split liquidity, user activity, and infrastructure across multiple isolated environments. This fragmentation has created inefficiencies and complicated cross-chain interactions for both developers and users.
Shared Infrastructure and Simplified Interactions
At the core of the EEZ concept is the idea of shared infrastructure across layer-2 networks. Applications built within the Economic Zone would be able to operate seamlessly across rollups without requiring complex cross-chain transfers. This approach is expected to reduce duplication of services and streamline the overall user experience.
The framework will use Ether (ETH) as the default gas token, reinforcing the central role of Ethereum’s native asset across interconnected networks. By maintaining settlement on the base layer while enabling interoperability at higher layers, EEZ seeks to balance scalability with security and decentralization.
An informal EEZ Alliance is also being formed to coordinate standards and promote adoption. Founding participants include Aave, Centrifuge, as well as infrastructure players like Titan and Beaver Build. The group will help guide development and ensure alignment across projects.
Aligning with Ethereum’s Strategic Shift
The Economic Zone initiative aligns with a broader strategic pivot by the Ethereum Foundation toward improving scalability and interoperability. After reducing spending and pausing its grant program in 2025, the foundation has shifted to a more targeted approach, prioritizing core infrastructure improvements.
In early 2026, Vitalik Buterin highlighted that the original vision for layer-2 scaling had become outdated, calling for new models to better integrate the ecosystem. EEZ reflects this thinking by emphasizing coordination rather than competition among rollups.
The foundation has also committed to co-financing the project, signaling strong institutional support despite its more conservative budget strategy.
Governance, Open Source Development, and Future Plans
The Ethereum Economic Zone will be established as a Swiss non-profit organization, with all associated software released as open source. Developers plan to publish detailed technical specifications and performance benchmarks in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the Ethereum Foundation continues to strengthen its financial position through active staking. Recent onchain data shows the organization locked tens of thousands of ETH, contributing to a broader strategy of supporting ecosystem development through staking rewards.
As Ethereum continues evolving, the EEZ proposal represents a significant step toward reducing fragmentation and building a more cohesive, scalable network. If successful, it could redefine how layer-2 solutions interact and unlock more efficient growth across the ecosystem.
