Ronin migrates to Ethereum L2 on May 12: inflation reduction and 10-hour downtime

The Ronin blockchain network, the core infrastructure of the game Axie Infinity , is announcing a major migration to an Ethereum layer 2 based on the OP Stack, scheduled for May 12, 2026 . This transition, taking place four years after the historic Ronin hack of 2022, aims to strengthen the network's scalability while significantly reducing the inflation of the native token RON . A temporary 10-hour network shutdown is planned to carry out this migration. The facts The migration of Ronin to an Ethereum layer 2, announced for May 12, 2026, marks a strategic turning point for the network. Built on the OP Stack, an optimistic rollup solution, this move will reduce the annual inflation of the RON token from 20% to less than 1% . This reduction is part of an effort to align Ronin with the standards of modern layer 2 solutions, while improving security and reducing transaction costs. The 10-hour network shutdown, required to perform the migration, could temporarily disrupt activities related to Axie Infinity , for which Ronin serves as the backbone. This technical operation takes place in a historic context marked by the 2022 hack, which resulted in the theft of $625 million in ETH and USDC. Why it matters This migration represents a key step for Ronin, which seeks to position itself as a competitive Ethereum layer 2. By drastically reducing RON's inflation, the network aims to attract more developers and users, thanks to lower transaction fees and better interoperability with the Ethereum ecosystem. In the short term, this transition could boost Ronin's adoption and strengthen interest in the RON token, provided that execution goes smoothly. More broadly, this announcement illustrates the growing trend of Ethereum layer 2 solutions, a rapidly expanding segment. Investors and industry players will closely watch the market's reaction after the migration, as well as the impact on transaction volume and user activity. For Axie Infinity , this transition could also pave the way for new features and deeper integration with the Ethereum ecosystem. What to watch The performance of the RON token in the 48 hours following the migration, as well as its impact on trading volume. Developer adoption: the number of projects migrated or newly deployed on Ronin L2 after May 12, 2026. Network stability during and after the 10-hour shutdown, as well as its influence on the activity of Axie Infinity users. The reactions of market participants, particularly in terms of liquidity and confidence in the Ronin network. The evolution of transaction fees and their impact on Ronin's attractiveness compared to other layer 2 solutions. This migration could also serve as a reference for other blockchain projects considering a transition to a layer 2, thereby strengthening the Ethereum ecosystem as a whole.