Ethereum Economic Zone Aims to Unify Layer-2 Networks Under ETH

A new framework called the Ethereum Economic Zone (EEZ) was unveiled at EthCC 2026 in Paris. Designed to tackle Ethereum's long-standing 'fragmentation problem', the project aims to unify layer-2 networks while keeping ETH as the central gas and settlement token. The initiative is led by Gnosis and ZisK, with backing from the Ethereum Foundation. The EEZ emerged from a research mandate by GnosisDAO, which explored converting Gnosis Chain into a natively integrated Ethereum layer-2. Governance records from February 2026 reveal discussions about enabling synchronous composability—a system where smart contracts across connected rollups and Ethereum mainnet can interact seamlessly within a single transaction.

At EthCC 2026, Gnosis co-founder Friederike Ernst and Jordi Baylina presented the EEZ as a way to 'reassemble Ethereum' into a unified ecosystem. The framework's core promise is synchronous composability, ensuring that ETH remains the default gas token across all participating networks.

To oversee development, a Swiss-based EEZ Association has been established. This body aims to maintain neutrality and encourage wider collaboration. The project also marks a shift in on-chain governance, with DAOs now voting on the technical and economic direction of entire chains rather than minor adjustments.

Gnosis has chosen to align its future with Ethereum's rollup-centric roadmap instead of continuing as a standalone layer-1. The EEZ represents Ethereum's most ambitious effort yet to address fragmentation, offering a cohesive structure for its expanding layer-2 landscape. The EEZ framework introduces a new model for Ethereum's scalability, prioritising unified transactions and ETH as the primary asset. With the Ethereum Foundation's support and a dedicated governance body, the project sets the stage for broader adoption of synchronous composability. The next steps will depend on collaboration between developers, DAOs, and the wider Ethereum community.