NFTs Shift to L2: Cheaper, Faster, More Scalable

[Chawla Solutions]

Ethereum may have pioneered NFTs, but high gas fees have become a major barrier. Minting an NFT on Ethereum often costs $30–$50 per transaction, pricing out everyday users and limiting growth. The result is clear: projects are increasingly moving to Layer 2 networks (L2s) and alternative chains.

Where They’re Going
Popular destinations include Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, zkSync, Solana, and TON (powered by Telegram). Each offers lower fees, faster confirmation times, and opportunities to reach new communities. Beyond cost savings, L2s also allow creators to experiment with custom tokenomics and utility models not feasible on Ethereum mainnet.

Examples of the Shift
• Pudgy Penguins expanding into Pudgy World on zkSync.
• Redacted Remilio migrating activity to Arbitrum.
• TON NFTs gaining traction with drops linked to Telegram and Notcoin.

Why It Matters
This migration isn’t just about saving money. It’s about expanding adoption by making NFTs more accessible, interactive, and scalable. Lower transaction costs mean more frequent use cases — from in-game assets to micro-collectibles — while new ecosystems like TON bring NFTs to audiences beyond traditional crypto circles.

Conclusion
NFTs are no longer synonymous with Ethereum. The future lies in multi-chain strategies, where the most adaptive projects expand to L2s and alternative blockchains. Those who fail to embrace this shift risk being left behind in a rapidly evolving market.