Ethereum Layer 2 Strategy Shifts Toward AI Agents as Key Execution Layer for Potential 10-Fold Growth

Ethereum Layer 2 networks previously focused mainly on lowering fees and accelerating transactions for human users, but their strategic emphasis is now shifting toward AI agents. The ERC-8004 standard seeks to establish machine identity, reputation and verification mechanisms, allowing agents to make payments, collaborate and conduct economic activity without human intervention. This could provide a new source of onchain growth.

A recent analysis argues that Coinbase-backed Base and zero-knowledge-proof-based ZK rollups could serve AI agents' respective needs for high-frequency, low-value transactions and privacy. The market expects machine-to-machine transactions to gradually dominate onchain activity from 2026 and potentially drive as much as 10-fold growth across the Ethereum ecosystem. The related reports did not disclose a specific investment amount.