Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, and ZKsync Proposes Offer to Power Ronin Ethereum L2 Migration

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. BitPinas has no commercial relationship with any mentioned entity unless otherwise stated.

📬 Get the biggest crypto stories in the Philippines and Southeast Asia every week — subscribe to the BitPinas Newsletter.

Major Ethereum scaling ecosystems have submitted proposals to support Ronin Network as it transitions from a gaming-focused sidechain into a full-fledged L2 network aligned with Ethereum.

Bidding for Ethereum Layer 2 Transition

Following Ronin’s announcement to migrate into an Ethereum Layer 2, the network recently opened its request-for-proposal (RFP) process.

In its Discord server, the team said it has reached “soft consensus” with its Governing Validators to pursue the transition, with the goal of incentivizing contributors and expanding the ecosystem.

Four solution providers, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, and ZKsync, have been invited to submit proposals. Each is expected to outline details of their technology stack, security track record, performance benchmarks, EVM compatibility, migration plan, timeline, and commercial terms.

Advertisement

The selection process will take place in two phases. Phase 1 is said to run in the third week of August 2025, during which the invited providers will post their proposals and respond to queries in a public channel, though only Governing Validators will be able to participate directly in the discussions.

The Phase 2 is said to run a week after, when Governing Validators will review the submissions, ask follow-up questions, and cast votes to select one of the four providers. The timeline may be extended if additional deliberation is required, according to Ronin developer Sky Mavis.

The developer further noted that while other options exist, it will focus only on the four chosen providers due to time and resource constraints.

In an X post, Sky Mavis Co-Founder Jeffrey “Jihoz” Zirlin said L2 proposals center on sequencer technology, which will power Ronin’s transition into an Ethereum Layer 2.

“We’re starting to see different L2 providers submit their proposals to Ronin. This means that they’re looking to provide access to their sequencer technology which would facilitate Ronin becoming an Ethereum layer 2… We know that Ronin will become an Ethereum L2, the technology that facilitates this is what the proposal process is centered around.”

 Jeffrey “Jihoz” Zirlin, Co-Founder, Sky Mavis

Proposals

Optimism

The Optimism Collective (with Eigen Labs, Boundless, and Conduit) is proposing to help Ronin transition into an Ethereum L2. Their pitch is that Optimism’s tech stack is already powering some of the biggest Ethereum L2s, and they want to bring the same reliability, scale, and support to Ronin.

“This submission aligns with Ronin’s requested structure, offering concrete commitments, KPIs, and milestone-based acceptance criteria. Together, we bring the most comprehensive package, combining proven technology, hands-on migration support, and deep ecosystem incentives to enable Ronin to become the gamification engine for crypto.”

Optimism

The proposal offers Ronin battle-tested OP Stack (used by Base & Uniswap), sub-second gaming transactions, $RON gas token integration, and future-proof hybrid Optimistic + ZK rollup security.

• Proven Tech & Security: OP Stack is used by Coinbase (Base), Uniswap, Worldcoin, Sony, and more, securing $20B+ without major incidents.
• High Speed & Scale: Sub-second transactions, up to 1M TPS with EigenDA, and near-zero fees.
• Better Player Experience: Web2-quality gaming with smooth, instant interactions.
• Support for Builders: Easy-to-use developer tools, strong ecosystem support, and direct access to Ethereum liquidity.
• RON Integration: $RON stays as the gas token, validators continue playing a role, and new revenue-sharing models are introduced.
• ZK Future-Ready: Hybrid optimistic + ZK setup for faster withdrawals, lower fees, and stronger security.

Migration Plan:

Optimism noted that it would lead a smooth migration across design, private/public testnets, and mainnet with no disruption to players, developers, or exchanges.

• Led by Conduit + OP Labs (advisors)
• Steps: Design → Private Testnet → Public Testnet → Mainnet Migration
• Goal: Smooth transition, minimal downtime, and no disruption for players, exchanges, or developers.

Incentives:

The solution provider offers $5 million to $7 million in grants and growth support.

• Strategic Grants:
  • 2M OP from Optimism Foundation
  • 700,000 ZKC from Boundless for ZK proving
  • 750,000 EIGEN from Eigen Labs to cover DA costs
• Revenue Sharing: Ronin contributes a share of sequencing revenue, but EigenDA lowers costs significantly.
• Ongoing Support: Access to Optimism’s retro funding (850M OP pool), service discounts, growth campaigns, and airdrops.

Access the full proposal here: Ronin’s Next Chapter: Powered by Optimism

Arbitrum

Arbitrum Gaming Ventures (AGV) proposed for Ronin L2 to be built on Arbitrum Orbit. They position themselves not just as a tech partner but as the only ecosystem “best aligned” with Ronin’s gaming-first mission.

“We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with the Ronin community to expand on why Arbitrum Orbit is the natural, and best-aligned, home for Ronin L2. This isn’t just the best strategic fit, it’s the only one that truly aligns with Ronin’s long-term vision and values.”

David B, Council Member,  Arbitrum Gaming Ventures

Arbitrum’s proposal aims to connect Ronin to its gaming-focused infrastructure and Ethereum L2 ecosystem, strengthening ties with institutional partners and builders.

• RON as Native Gas: Fully supported natively, no hacks or forks.
• Ultra-Fast Blocks: 0.25s block time (12x faster than current Ronin). Arbitrum can even go down to 0.1s.
• Full Self-Governance: “Your chain, your rules.” Ronin keeps total control while still getting upgrades from Arbitrum’s Nitro stack.
• Validator Economics: Features like Timeboost unlock new MEV revenue streams.
• Stylus (Rust & C++ smart contracts): Ronin devs can code in Rust, C++, or Solidity interchangeably, with 10x+ cheaper computation and 100x cheaper memory.
• Proven Security: 3+ years in production, billions secured, 40+ Orbit chains live, plus a new $10M audit subsidy program for safer smart contracts.

Migration Plan:

A phased migration process is laid out to cover technical alignment, validator involvement, integration with Arbitrum Orbit, and coordinated launch efforts.

• RaaS (Rollup-as-a-Service) providers already scoped Ronin migration.
• Arbitrum Orbit has native Alt-DA support (EigenDA, others) coming in Q4, letting Ronin use its preferred DA layer without forking.
• Because all of Ronin’s needs (gas, fast blocks, flexibility) are already live, migration is faster and easier than with other stacks.

Incentives:

This includes milestone-based funding, sequencer fee ownership, and co-marketing support which would provide both financial backing and ecosystem growth opportunities.

• 750,000 $ARB grant from AGV (250,000/year over 3 years).
• Revenue sharing: Ronin contributes 10% of transaction + priority fees, aligning with the Arbitrum ecosystem.
• Programs Ronin gains access to:
  • $200 million Arbitrum Gaming Ventures fund for game studios.
  • Content Creator Program: Free gaming content across Twitch, YT, TikTok.
  • $10 million Audit Subsidy: Fto cut developer security costs.
  • AI Trailblazer Program: $1 million grants for AI-powered onchain gaming.
  • IRL Presence: Arbitrum regularly showcases games at GDC, Token2049, EthDenver.

Access the full proposal here: A Proposal to Build Ronin L2 with Arbitrum

Polygon

Polygon Labs proposes that Ronin build its new Ethereum L2 network using the Agglayer Chain Development Kit (CDK), joining Polygon’s cluster of chains for scalability, security, and interoperability.

“Polygon Labs invites Ronin to leverage our Agglayer Chain Development Kit (CDK) to build a cutting-edge Ethereum L2 ecosystem… Polygon Labs is committed to collaborating with Ronin’s community and Governing Validators to bring this vision to life.”

Sandeep Nailwal, CEO, Polygon Labs

Polygon proposes to align Ronin with its zkEVM technology and gaming ecosystem, delivering scalability, developer support, and sustainable growth.

• Ethereum Alignment & Security: Ronin’s L2 would inherit Ethereum security through zk proofs, with low fees and high performance (up to 1M TPS using EigenDA).
• Revenue Streams:
  • 100% of sequencer fees stay with Ronin.
  • Vault Bridge integration could yield ~$3.2M annually today, with potential to scale to $6–8M if TVL grows to $300M.
• Ecosystem Access: Seamless interoperability with Polygon PoS and Agglayer chains, tapping into deep liquidity and user bases across DeFi, NFTs, gaming, and AI applications.
• Customization: Ronin can set gas token ($RON), validator fees, data availability options, and sequencer design.

Migration Plan: 

Transition follows a multi-stage roadmap, from technical integration to ecosystem onboarding, ensuring compatibility and minimal disruption.

Incentives:

Polygon offers multi-million dollar grants, sequencer fee ownership, subsidized infrastructure costs, and yield opportunities through Polygon’s ecosystem resources.

• Direct Grants & Support
  • $3.15 million in milestone-based grants (Offer #1, if Ronin builds on Agglayer CDK).
  • 750,000 EIGEN tokens to cover Data Availability costs (up to 3 years).
  • $1 million in proving credits for zk proofs.
  • Tier 0 priority support from Polygon’s Growth team + dedicated Enablement Manager.
• Revenue Streams
  • Sequencer Fees: 100% revenue ownership stays with Ronin.
  • Vault Bridge Yield
    • ~$3.2 million annual passive income based on current TVL.
    • Could scale to $6 million to $8 million per year if bridged TVL hits $300M.
    • Ronin keeps 75% of Vault Bridge revenue.
• Offer Breakdown
  • Offer #1 (Agglayer CDK build): Total potential value $11 million to $13 million
    • $3.15 million grants + $6 million to $8 million recurring Vault Bridge revenue + sequencer revenue + proving/DA subsidies.
    • 36-month exclusivity (Agglayer as canonical bridge).
  • Offer #2 (Other L2 stack but Agglayer bridge): $2 million in grants
    • Still milestone-based, but no proving credits or EigenDA subsidy.

Access the full proposal here: From Lone Warrior to Joining Ethereum’s Empire — Ronin’s Power Move With Polygon

ZKSync

In ZKsync’s proposal, it aims to position Ronin as the gamification engine of Ethereum with its ZK tech, sovereign control, ultra-low fees, instant interop, and a migration track record. 

The platform noted that by Q1 2026, Ronin can relaunch as a seamless, Ethereum-secure ZK L2, backed by real incentives for validators, builders, creators, and players.

“With “Homecoming to Ethereum,” [Ronin] set the next chapter: becoming Ethereum-aligned without giving up performance or sovereignty. The mission is bigger than ever: to become the gamification engine of Ethereum. To fully realize this vision, Ronin needs a partner that offers the best technology, deep migration expertise, and a clear commitment to the future of on-chain gaming. The future of Ethereum is ZK. ZKsync is not only the partner that can fulfill all of Ronin’s requirements, it’s also the only one built for Ethereum’s ZK future with its own Layer 2 ZK stack and native interop.”

Omar Azhar, VP of Business Development, Matter Labs

Polygon offers Ronin seamless integration with Ethereum liquidity, a robust gaming ecosystem, and long-term sustainability through shared infrastructure and aggressive growth support.

• Ethereum-Aligned ZK Future: ZKsync offers a fully native ZK stack (zkOS) with fastest prover (Airbender), delivering Ethereum finality in seconds.
• Performance for Gaming:
  • Block times: 0.2s → 0.1s (30x faster than today).
  • Fees: ~$0.001/tx (sustainable for microtransactions & sponsored gas).
  • Seamless UX: sub-second confirmations, instant gameplay responsiveness.
• Sovereignty & Customization: Ronin retains full control over governance, sequencers, gas token ($RON), and upgrade cadence.
• Native Interoperability: Instant (~1s) cross-chain interop across ZKsync Elastic Network + Ethereum, without bridges.
• Programmable $RON: Not just a gas token: programmable subsidies, multi-token support, and new monetization flows.
• Proof of Distribution Evolution: Reward not only validators, but also builders, players, and creators via verifiable onchain scores.

Migration Plan 

Polygon provided a phased roadmap covering technical alignment, strategy design, scoping, integration, and co-marketing strategies.

• Q3 2025: Testnet Prep
  • Detailed migration roadmap.
  • Launch private zkOS testnet for state migration simulation.
• Q4 2025: Public Testnet & Dry Runs
  • Load testing + state migration rehearsals.
  • Onboard infra partners (nodes, validators, exchanges).
  • Launch public migration testnet.
• Q1 2026: Mainnet Launch
  • Full state migration to zkOS mainnet (aligned with hardfork).
  • Zero disruption for games, assets, and users.
  • Joint launch campaigns with ecosystem partners.

Incentives

According to the proposal, Ronin could gain over $3 million in milestone-based grants, full sequencer fee ownership, subsidized proving and DA costs, as well as up to $6–8 million in annual passive revenue through Vault Bridge yields.

This includes:

• 3 Million $ZK Gas Subsidy: Ultra-low fees mean this covers hundreds of millions of transactions for onboarding, tournaments, and gameplay campaigns.
• Sequencer Profits: Ronin keeps all fee revenue. With tx cost at ~$0.001 but priced at ~$0.003, Ronin gains a durable profit margin.
• Expanded Business Model: “Ronin-as-a-Service” → studios/IPs can launch their own Ronin rollups, fully interoperable via ZKsync.
• Access to ZKsync Token Assembly: Governance incentives from a 30% $ZK supply pool to fund Ronin’s growth initiatives.
• Elastic Network Distribution: Access to partners like Xsolla, Zepeto, Abstract, and Sophon, plugging Ronin into hundreds of millions of gamers.

Access the full proposal here: Ronin’s Homecoming, Powered by ZKsync

What’s with Ronin’s Migration to Ethereum?

Revealed on August 15, 2025, Ronin’s “Homecoming to Ethereum” announcement outlined its plans to migrate into an Ethereum L2 and revamp its tokenomics to incentivize contributors and expand the ecosystem. 

The migration is scheduled for completion between Q1 and Q2 of 2026.

The upgrade will expand the chain’s focus from web3 gaming to broader gamified applications, including DeFi, SocialFi, tokenized collectibles, and consumer AI. 

Ronin developers said the move will deliver faster transactions, stronger security through Ethereum’s infrastructure, and new staking mechanisms for its native token, $RON.

A centerpiece of the transition is a revamped tokenomics model called Proof of Distribution, which redirects staking rewards from passive validators to active contributors such as developers and ecosystem projects. 

Regular validators will be able to register as Stake Managers, directing staked RON to contributors with higher “Builder Scores”  calculated using both onchain activity and offchain impact.

This article is published on BitPinas: Optimism, Arbitrum Proposes Offer to Ronin Chain

What else is happening in Crypto Philippines and beyond?