Ethereum Layer 2 locks nearly $40 billion in assets as Dencun upgrade looms


  • Ethereum Layer 2 network’s total value of assets locked climbed to $38.98 billion on Wednesday. 
  • Ethereum Dencun upgrade is less than six hours away and the TVL in most Layer 2 projects has climbed by double digits overnight. 
  • ETH price sustained above the psychologically important $4,000 level, up 14% on the week. 

Ethereum Layer 2 projects, those that scale the underlying blockchain and are built on top of Ether, locked in $38.98 billion in cryptocurrencies ahead of a key technical upgrade. The Dencun upgrade, scheduled to occur on Wednesday, is the most significant upgrade in the Ethereum ecosystem since the Merge. 

Also read: Ethereum Layer 2 tokens dip as Dencun Hard Fork looms: MATIC, IMX, OP, ARB, MNT see sharp corrections

Layer 2 tokens see massive spike in TVL

Ethereum Layer 2 tokens see a resurgence in the narrative’s popularity as the Dencun upgrade draws close. Of all the technical improvements that the Hard Fork proposes to bring to the Ethereum mainnet, the reduction in transaction cost for L2 tokens is the most significant one for the Ether and L2 community. 

L2 TVL rose to $38.98 billion on Wednesday, hitting a key milestone, while the mainnet prepares for the Dencun rollout. The countdown for the Dencun upgrade can be seen here

ETH

TVL increase in Ethereum Layer 2 chains. Source: L2Beat

The surge in TVL is important since it represents the increasing relevance of these projects and the rise in participants locking in their cryptocurrencies on L2 chains in the current market cycle. 

Value Locked

Value locked in Ethereum Layer 2 chains. Source: L2Beat

Crypto expert Eric.eth, behind the X handle @econoar, stresses the importance of L2s to the extent of saying, “L2 is Ethereum.” The crypto analyst wrote that picturing a world in which all transactions are performed on the base chain, or Ethereum’s mainnet, is a false reality. Eric.eth states the community values the fact that anyone can run an Ethereum node, stressing on decentralization in Ethereum. The expert supports the narrative of L2 chains scaling Ethereum while taking advantage of the altcoin’s security infrastructure.  

The projected transaction cost of a decentralized exchange swap after the Dencun upgrade will decline for various L2 chains, as seen in the image below.

Projected gas cost

Projected Gas Costs of a DEX Swap. Source: IntoTheBlock

Ethereum price is $4,056 at the time of writing, sustaining above the psychologically important $4,000 level. 


Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended Content

Editors’ Picks

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP gain on Friday, meme coin NEIRO erases recent gains

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP gain on Friday, meme coin NEIRO erases recent gains

Bitcoin steadies above $60,000 on Friday, gains over 1% on the day. Ethereum trades above $2,400, while BlackRock Spot Ethereum ETF sees a $17.8 million inflow on Thursday. XRP is back above $0.5300 as Ripple files cross-appeal in SEC lawsuit.

More Cryptocurrencies News
Cardano celebrates milestone: Hosts Argentina’s first legally enforceable smart contract

Cardano celebrates milestone: Hosts Argentina’s first legally enforceable smart contract

Cardano ambassador Mauro Andreoli recently announced Cardano’s milestone of Argentina’s first legally and judicially enforceable contract. The first loan agreement in Cardano under Argentine law involves a loan of 10,000 ADA tokens, currently valued at $3,380.

More Cardano News
Top 3 Price Prediction Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple: BTC finds support around $60,000

Top 3 Price Prediction Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple: BTC finds support around $60,000

Bitcoin is finding support around the key level, and a close below this level could signal a decline. Ethereum is approaching a critical resistance barrier; rejection from this level suggests a decline ahead. Meanwhile, Ripple is stuck in a range, reflecting a period of indecision among traders.

More Cryptocurrencies News
SEC sues Cumberland DRW for acting as an unregistered securities broker, Solana ETFs at risk

SEC sues Cumberland DRW for acting as an unregistered securities broker, Solana ETFs at risk

SEC sued crypto trading company Cumberland DRW for allegedly acting as an unregistered broker. Solana was among five cryptocurrencies the SEC alleged to be securities sold via the platform.

More Cryptocurrencies News
Bitcoin Weekly Forecast: Will BTC decline further?

Bitcoin Weekly Forecast: Will BTC decline further?

Bitcoin’s (BTC) price fell over 6% at some point this week until Thursday, extending losses for a second consecutive week, as it faced rejection from a key resistance barrier.

Read full analysis
Five best Forex brokers in 2024

Five best Forex brokers in 2024

VERIFIED Choosing the best Forex broker in 2024 requires careful consideration of certain essential factors. With the wide array of options available, it is crucial to find a broker that aligns with your trading style, experience level, and financial goals. 

Read More

BTC

ETH

XRP