Exaion, a branch of the French energy powerhouse EDF Group, has stepped in as a validator for Etherlink, a layer 2 blockchain powered by Tezos.
Exaion, known for its advanced computing and cloud services tailored for blockchain applications, has joined Etherlink, an Ethereum-compatible L2 leveraging Tezos’ smart rollup technology.
This development comes on the heels of a significant event in October 2020 when Exaion became a corporate baker for Tezos.
Etherlink, functioning as an EVM-compatible layer 2 solution, supports seamless, non-custodial integration with Ethereum tools while utilizing the rollup technology from Tezos to enhance scalability and reliability. It allows for interoperability across the Ethereum ecosystem, including wallets and indexing tools.
Launched in late 2024, the layer 2 chain also interfaces with other EVM-compatible blockchains.
“By joining Etherlink as a Smart Rollup node operator, we can contribute to network security while delivering a premium digital service to all users on the chain,” stated Fatih Balyeli, CEO and co-founder of Exaion. “We take pride in our ongoing support for Tezos, a testament to French technological innovation that mirrors our mission.”
Exaion’s decision to take on validator duties for Etherlink coincides with the growing popularity of the Tezos L2 blockchain solution, which has only been live for a few months. Etherlink has drawn interest from various projects, including the money market funds platform Spiko and Midas, a platform for real-world assets backed by Coinbase.
Additional projects are exploring numerous use cases on the layer 2, such as tokenized assets and contract deployments. Exaion’s entry as a validator enhances overall network stability and decentralization during this period of expansion.
“Rollup security hinges on having at least one trustworthy validator,” noted Arthur Breitman, co-founder of Tezos. “Hence, the inclusion of more reputable entities validating the Etherlink rollup significantly fortifies its integrity.”