• Layer-2 tokens, such as Optimism (OP), Loopring (LRC), ImmutableX (IMX), and Polygon (MATIC) are enjoying a strong rally in the crypto markets.
• The reason for the massive run might be that a new narrative is forming around the Layer-2 ecosystem and its promising future.
• Ethereum Layer-2 tokens seem to be benefiting from the still bearish environment in the financial markets.

Ethereum Layer-2 Tokens Enjoying Incredible Run

Ethereum Layer-2 tokens have been enjoying an incredible rally despite the still bearish environment in the financial markets. Optimism’s governance token OP has reached a new all-time high of $3.20, up about 230% in the last month. Other Layer-2 tokens like Loopring (LRC), ImmutableX (IMX), and Polygon (MATIC) are also pumping, indicating that a new narrative is forming around this sector of blockchain technology.

What is Layer 2?

Layer 2 refers to various scaling solutions on a separate blockchain that extends Ethereum network capabilities by taking multiple transactions off-chain and bundling them into one which can then be sent for verification to Ethereum mainnet, thus reducing gas costs. One such solution is an optimistic rollup Optimism (OP).

The Reason Behind This Pump

It’s difficult to determine what sparked this massive run in Ethereum Layer-2 tokens but some plausible reasons could include: 1) A rally in the equity market; 2) Multiple other crypto tokens being up huge since the start of 2021; 3) Special attention from investors towards these particular types of tokens due to their potential use cases; 4) Last year was supposed to be ‘the year of layer 2’s’ however multiple bankruptcies and controversies stopped it from happening; 5) This year there seems to be more optimism regarding layer 2 projects as they are gaining momentum right from start of 2021.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ethereum layer 2 tokens seem to have found renewed interest among investors due their ability to reduce transaction costs on Ethereum mainnet while providing more scalability and flexibility for developers working on decentralized apps or smart contracts. It remains unclear how long this pump will last but so far it looks like these projects could become very valuable over time if they continue delivering on their promises.

References

CoinGecko https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/optimism