Metis is striving to carve out a unique growth trajectory in the AI sector, writing its own story of “rebirth.”

In Ethereum’s Layer2 arena, the “Hundred-Chain War” has fallen into a rut of homogeneity—over 100 chains are competing for similar DeFi users, replicating identical smart contracts, and pushing the limits of marginal technical innovation.

As the entire Ethereum ecosystem hits a growth bottleneck, a veteran Layer2 player once labeled “Vitalik’s mom’s best friend” is undergoing its third evolution. Metis has shifted from an Ethereum scaling solution, to a decentralized sequencer pioneer, and now into an AI-focused infrastructure provider.

By launching the Metis SDK and the high-performance Hyperion execution layer, along with incubating the LazAI protocol, Metis is going all-in on the future of AI + Web3. This isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a full-blown ecosystem restructuring, transforming from a single blockchain project into a multi-network infrastructure platform.

In the past year, Solana achieved an astounding rebound driven by the meme narrative. Metis is now attempting to chart its own unique course in the AI space, crafting a story of its own rebirth.

Metis Reborn—Again

Metis stands apart in the Ethereum Layer2 landscape.

Back in 2018, just before Ethereum’s scaling demand surged, Metis emerged under the name “MetisDAO.” The “Vitalik’s mom’s best friend” label not only drew attention but also gave it an inherent meme-like quality.

By 2021, Metis shattered public perceptions by launching the first Optimistic Rollup-based Layer2 mainnet, Andromeda. Utilizing data compression and batch submission mechanisms, it drastically reduced gas costs and improved processing efficiency—becoming the first successfully deployed OP-based scaling solution.

Why was it surprising? Only then did people realize Metis wasn’t just a meme—it was a technical trailblazer.

In 2023, Metis developed the zkVM (Zero-Knowledge Virtual Machine) named ZKM, supporting a hybrid mode of OP and ZK Rollups. This combines the scalability of Optimistic Rollups with the security of ZK Rollups, achieving both high throughput and low verification costs.

In 2024, Metis launched the industry’s first fully decentralized sequencer (DSEQ). Through node staking and incentives via its governance token METIS, it handed transaction sequencing power to the community—eliminating the single point of failure.

However, as we enter 2025, the entire Ethereum ecosystem faces unprecedented challenges.

Over the past year, the long-standing DeFi narrative that underpinned Ethereum began hitting a wall. User behavior has fundamentally shifted—from chasing long-term visions to seeking short-term profit maximization, shunning VC-funded tokens. This change has significantly altered Ethereum’s development trajectory.

In contrast, Solana succeeded by trading off decentralization for performance, attracting a large user base. Base, backed by Coinbase, has created a low-barrier, high-engagement on-chain experience. These cases highlight a clear shift: users today care more about practical experience and wealth effects than pure tech ideals.

With the spell of technology broken, Layer2s must abandon illusions and rely on themselves.

As the first Layer2 project to realize decentralized sequencing, Metis has long embraced the identity of a disruptor. Confronted with the Ethereum ecosystem’s struggles, Metis hasn’t stood still—instead, it has chosen to change once again, launching a strategic transformation from L2 scaling solution to AI infrastructure powerhouse.

Metis SDK: Building the AI Infrastructure of the Crypto World

In April, Metis officially launched the Metis SDK, transforming itself from a single general-purpose L2 into a foundational infrastructure that empowers both L2 and L3 networks.

If blockchain development is like constructing a house, then the Metis SDK is an “intelligent building system” that includes blueprints, materials, and tools—all in one. It enables developers to easily build complex blockchain applications, cut costs, and significantly boost development efficiency.

Compared to traditional SDKs, the Metis SDK is more powerful and flexible. Not only can developers use it to build their own custom execution layers, but it’s also optimized for the AI space, allowing for the development of AI-powered blockchain applications. It inherits Metis’s traditional strengths as well, such as supporting decentralized sequencing nodes and enabling cross-chain interoperability.

A powerful construction toolkit deserves to be proven by a remarkable “building.”

Hyperion is Metis’s high-performance AI-native execution layer—the first “smart city” built using the Metis SDK, showcasing the toolkit’s full potential:

• High-performance computing: Enables near-instant transaction confirmation through parallel execution and optimized opcode processing.

• AI-native support: Built-in AI extensions make it easy and intuitive to develop decentralized AI applications.

• Decentralized infrastructure: A distributed sequencing node network ensures transaction fairness and system resilience.

In turn, the practical experience gained from deploying Hyperion continuously feeds back into SDK development, driving functional improvements and evolution.

This is more than a simple tech upgrade—it marks a strategic transformation of the Metis ecosystem, from a single blockchain project to a multi-network infrastructure platform.

Hyperion’s successful deployment has technically validated the practical value of the Metis SDK. It provides developers with a clear path and concrete reference cases. At the same time, the METIS token has gained true programmability through the SDK—evolving from a mere transaction medium into the core driving force of the ecosystem.

Through the perfect synergy of SDK and Hyperion, Metis not only supports the development and deployment of more customizable execution layers but also accelerates the flourishing of both Layer2 and Layer3 ecosystems.

Experimental Ecosystem: LazAI and the Reimagining of AI Data Sovereignty

Built on the Metis SDK, the high-performance AI-native execution layer Hyperion laid down the “highway” for AI applications. However, for any public chain or L2, building the road is one thing—attracting traffic is another. That’s why Metis stepped in once again, incubating an AI project of its own: LazAI.

AI is shifting from being a mere tool to becoming an increasingly autonomous agent. This evolution requires us to rethink the relationship between AI and humanity.

LazAI focuses on a seemingly abstract but fundamentally important issue: AI disorientation.

Imagine if AI were a new coworker. The current situation would be something like this:

• You don’t know what knowledge it has learned (lack of transparency in data sources).

• You don’t understand how it makes decisions (black-box algorithms).

• You can’t track its actions (lack of oversight).

• You’re unsure who it really serves (unclear value alignment).

The root of these problems lies in a basic element: data. LazAI argues that the core cause of AI disorientation is that data is undefined, unverifiable, and unpriced.

Unlike the DeFi space, where metrics like TVL (Total Value Locked) and APR (Annual Percentage Rate) provide clear value assessment standards, the AI domain lacks unified benchmarks for evaluating value. This makes it difficult to price AI assets accurately. Moreover, key contributors in the AI ecosystem—such as data providers and model trainers—often receive no fair compensation for their contributions, resulting in significant value distribution imbalances.

Therefore, LazAI is not merely an application or a model company. It is a brand-new AI protocol designed to redefine how data, behavior, models, and interactions become valuable assets in a truly AI-native economy.

To address these challenges, LazAI introduces a comprehensive solution made up of three core components:

iDAO (Individual-Centric / Intelligent DAO)

In essence, iDAO is a new organizational model that allows each individual or AI agent to become a member of a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization), participating in governance, verification, and rewards. Think of it as a “community” built for AI—where every participant has both a voice and responsibility. This ensures that the development of AI aligns with collective interests, rather than running unchecked like a wild horse.

It’s akin to a “Digital Academy of Athens,” returning data sovereignty to individuals. Developers, trainers, and contributors can form a dynamic balance of power through the DAO mechanism.

DAT (Data Anchored Token)

Developed by LazAI, DAT is a new standard for data assetization. It’s not just another NFT—it’s a semi-fungible token that transforms abstract data value into a tradable crypto asset while recording the full lifecycle of AI-related data.

For example, if a traditional NFT proves “this image belongs to you,” then a DAT proves “how this piece of data was created, used, trained, and what impact it had.” It turns static data into a dynamic asset—like turning a photograph into a documentary tracking its influence over time.

Verifiable Computation

This functions like a “black box recorder” for AI—making model execution, inference, and behavior transparent and auditable. Simply put, it ensures every AI action is provable and traceable, just like how financial transactions are logged on a ledger. This lays a trustworthy foundation for AI behavior and enables AI asset pricing to better reflect actual market demand.

These three elements are not standalone—they complement each other to form a complete system, from feeding data into AI to issuing AI-native crypto assets.

For instance, in training a small AI model:

• Participants provide data.

• Verifiable computation confirms and authenticates that data.

• DAT tokens certify and tokenize the data asset.

• iDAO handles decentralized governance and value distribution.

As an AI data protocol, LazAI is not a siloed project—it is embedded within the broader Metis ecosystem:

• Metis serves as the token layer, offering unified governance and incentives.

• Hyperion acts as the execution layer, enabling real-time, high-performance AI interactions.

Together, this three-layer structure forms a complete AI + Web3 engine. In the future, LazAI is expected to become the “flywheel engine” of the Metis AI ecosystem:

→ More users join
→ Higher-quality data is contributed
→ Smarter AI models are built
→ More applications emerge
→ Even more users are attracted

Can Metis Recreate the “Solana-Style Growth Miracle”?

In today’s world saturated with L1 and L2 solutions, the competition among chains has gone beyond just technological performance—it’s now a battle of ecosystem strategy and narrative execution.

Looking back at Solana’s resurgence, a stable technical foundation was the first step. After resolving outages and similar issues, Solana achieved over 10,000 TPS. Its speed and low fees made it the go-to chain for high-throughput scenarios like high-frequency trading.

With solid infrastructure in place, Solana found real-world applications—namely Meme coins and DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks). Boosted by the meme coin frenzy, Solana’s ecosystem trading volume repeatedly hit new highs.

While critics argue that Solana is overly reliant on speculative assets like meme coins, it’s undeniable that this strategy has paid off: high trading volume brought abundant liquidity, robust infrastructure attracted developers, and a mature dev ecosystem spurred new projects, which in turn reinforced the broader ecosystem.

This cycle created a liquidity moat for Solana, enabling a stunning rebound even during a bear market.

If Solana found its product-market fit (PMF) through meme coins, Metis has set its sights on a more strategic sector: AI. In contrast to the saturated meme market, Metis’s all-in approach to AI presents unique advantages:

Blue Ocean Market:

The integration of AI and blockchain is still in its early days, with market potential far exceeding that of the meme sector. As one of the first blockchain projects focused on building AI infrastructure, Metis has a chance to establish a first-mover advantage and strong brand recognition in this emerging field.

Technological Differentiation:

Metis’s Hyperion architecture is optimized specifically for AI workloads, offering high concurrency processing capabilities that overcome the limitations traditional blockchains face with real-time AI computation. Its modular verification framework and data handling capabilities provide an ideal environment for AI model training and inference.

Innovative Value Capture:

Through its LazAI protocol, Metis has created an entirely new mechanism for capturing and distributing data value.

Unlike other L1s still searching for their pivot, Metis has clearly defined its niche: to become the go-to infrastructure for AI-native applications. This strategy not only avoids direct competition with giants like Ethereum and Solana but also carves out a unique path for differentiated growth.

Metis’s breakout strategy can be summarized as: using high-performance, AI-oriented computing infrastructure as the spear; an innovative SDK framework as the shield; and the LazAI protocol ecosystem as the lever to drive explosive growth.

As the core protocol of the Metis ecosystem, LazAI integrates a unique triad architecture of iDAO, DAT, and verifiable computation, laying both theoretical and technical groundwork for deep integration of AI and blockchain. Meanwhile, the Metis SDK further lowers the development barrier, enabling more developers to easily build AI applications on Metis. This “protocol + tools” combo greatly expands Metis’s ecosystem potential and application scenarios.

From being known as “Vitalik’s mom’s best friend,” to a Layer 2 pioneer, and now a trailblazer in AI infrastructure—every transformation Metis has undergone reflects the project team’s resilience and execution capabilities.

In the next wave of crypto narratives, can Metis break through and lead the AI track? Let’s wait and see.

Disclaimer:

1. This article is reprinted from [TechFlow], and the copyright belongs to the original author [TechFlow]. If there are any concerns about the reprint, please contact the Gate Learn team, who will handle it promptly according to relevant procedures.

2. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not constitute any investment advice.

3. Other language versions of this article are translated by the Gate Learn team. Do not copy, distribute, or plagiarize the translated content without mentioning Gate.io.