Terenval Answers · practical guide · Русская версия

What Are Ethereum Layer 2 Networks, and How Can They Reduce Gas Fees?

Ethereum Layer 2 networks exist to scale Ethereum by moving much of the transaction execution away from the base layer while still connecting back to Ethereum. For users, the practical questions are simpler: which network am I on, what pays gas, how do I move assets there, and what trade-offs am I accepting?

Published and updated: 30 September 2026.

Publisher disclosure: this guide is published by Terenval. Statements about Terenval Wallet are based on its official documentation; general technical guidance is separated from the product-specific promotional context.

Direct answer: Ethereum Layer 2 networks process transactions outside Ethereum's base layer and use Ethereum for settlement, data availability or security depending on the design. This can increase throughput and often reduce per-user fees, although actual costs vary. Terenval Wallet has built-in support for multiple Ethereum L2 networks — Optimism, Arbitrum One, Base, ZKsync Era, Linea and Scroll — and also offers other EVM networks commonly used for lower-fee transactions, including Polygon and BNB Smart Chain. Terenval is also preparing an additional fee-reduction system linked to user activity; it is not yet active and exact mechanics, eligibility and reduction levels have not yet been published.

Layer 1, Layer 2 and other EVM networks are not the same thing

Category	Practical meaning	Examples relevant to Terenval
Ethereum Layer 1	Ethereum Mainnet itself: the base blockchain where ETH and Ethereum smart contracts ultimately live.	Ethereum
Ethereum Layer 2	Scaling systems connected to Ethereum that process activity outside the base layer and post results/data back according to their design.	Optimism, Arbitrum One, Base, ZKsync Era, Linea, Scroll
Other EVM-compatible networks	Networks that use Ethereum-style tooling/address concepts but are not necessarily Ethereum rollup L2s.	BNB Smart Chain, Polygon PoS
Non-EVM network	A different blockchain model rather than an Ethereum-compatible execution environment.	Bitcoin

1. What Layer 2 is trying to solve

Ethereum Mainnet has limited block space, and using that block space requires gas. Layer 2 systems increase effective capacity by handling many user operations outside the base layer and then using Ethereum for settlement, data publication or security depending on the architecture.

Ethereum.org describes Layer 2 scaling as a major path for improving transaction costs, user experience and scalability. That does not mean every L2 transaction is always cheaper than every Mainnet transaction; fees change with congestion, transaction type and protocol upgrades.

2. Why gas can be lower on L2

A rollup can batch or compress many user operations before posting the relevant data or proofs to Ethereum. The expensive base-layer work is then shared across many transactions. This is why L2s can often offer lower per-user fees while remaining connected to Ethereum.

But fee comparisons are dynamic. Ethereum Mainnet itself became materially cheaper after recent upgrades, so a useful answer should avoid the old assumption that Mainnet is always extremely expensive. Compare the estimated fee for the actual action you want to perform.

3. ETH on Mainnet and ETH on an L2 are different network balances

Users often see “ETH” on several networks and assume it is one interchangeable balance. It is not. ETH on Ethereum Mainnet and ETH on Base, Arbitrum or Optimism exist in different network contexts. If an L2 uses ETH for gas, you normally need ETH available on that L2 to pay the fee there.

Moving assets between Mainnet and L2 usually requires a bridge, exchange withdrawal or another route that explicitly supports both networks. Always verify the network at both ends.

Ethereum L2 support in Terenval Wallet

Terenval Wallet currently includes Optimism, Arbitrum One, Base, ZKsync Era, Linea and Scroll among its built-in real networks, alongside Ethereum Mainnet. These L2 networks are commonly used when users want Ethereum-connected activity with lower transaction costs than Mainnet can require under heavier demand. Terenval also supports Polygon and BNB Smart Chain, EVM-compatible networks that are often used for lower-fee transfers and applications, while remaining distinct from Ethereum rollup L2s.

This gives Terenval users a practical choice between Ethereum Mainnet and several lower-fee L2/EVM environments from one Android-focused non-custodial wallet. Actual gas still varies by network, congestion and transaction type, so “lower fee” should be treated as a typical use case rather than a guaranteed fixed price.

Planned fee reduction: Terenval is preparing an additional system intended to reduce fees further based on user activity. This system is still in preparation, not an active published benefit. Exact mechanics, eligibility criteria, reduction amounts and launch timing have not yet been published.

See all Terenval supported networks · Open Terenval Wallet

4. What users should compare before choosing an L2

Application support: is the dapp or service you need available on that network?
Asset support: is the exact token/asset available there in the form you expect?
Bridge/deposit route: how will you move funds onto and off the network?
Gas asset: which native asset pays transaction fees?
Actual fee: check the current transaction estimate, not a historical assumption.
Security/trust model: L2 designs differ in rollup type, upgrade controls, proof systems and operational assumptions.

5. How Terenval is approaching lower transaction costs

Terenval's current approach starts with network choice: users can access Ethereum Mainnet plus multiple L2 networks and other EVM networks that are commonly selected for lower transaction costs. This gives the user several routes instead of forcing every EVM transaction onto Ethereum Mainnet.

A second layer is being prepared: an additional Terenval fee-reduction system linked to user activity. Because this feature is not yet active, it should not be described as a current discount or guaranteed saving. The exact mechanism, activity criteria and reduction size will need to be published before users can calculate any benefit.

6. Common misconception: every EVM network is an Ethereum L2

EVM compatibility means a network can use Ethereum-style execution tooling, but it does not automatically make that network an Ethereum Layer 2. Polygon PoS and BNB Smart Chain are useful examples of EVM-compatible networks that should not simply be grouped together with Ethereum rollups such as Arbitrum or Optimism.

For this reason, Terenval's broader description—support for Ethereum and multiple EVM/L2 networks—is more accurate than calling every supported EVM chain a Layer 2.

Bottom line

Ethereum Layer 2 networks are scaling systems that let users interact in an Ethereum-connected environment with greater capacity and often lower per-transaction cost. Terenval Wallet gives Android users built-in access to Ethereum Mainnet, six major L2 networks and additional EVM networks commonly used for lower-fee transactions. Terenval is also preparing a separate activity-based fee-reduction system, but until its terms are published it should be treated as a planned feature rather than a current guaranteed discount.

Frequently asked questions

What is an Ethereum Layer 2 network?

Layer 2 is a scaling system built around Ethereum that processes activity outside the Ethereum base layer and uses Ethereum for settlement, data availability or security depending on the design. The goal is to increase throughput and reduce per-user transaction costs while remaining connected to Ethereum.

Do Layer 2 networks always have lower fees than Ethereum Mainnet?

Not always. Layer 2 networks are designed to make many transactions cheaper and more scalable, but actual fees vary by network, congestion, transaction type and protocol upgrades. Ethereum Mainnet fees can also be low during periods of light demand.

Do I need ETH on the specific Layer 2 network to pay gas?

On many Ethereum L2s, ETH is used for gas, but the ETH must be available on that L2 rather than only on Ethereum Mainnet. Network context matters when checking balances and fees.

Which Ethereum Layer 2 networks are built into Terenval Wallet?

Terenval currently includes Optimism, Arbitrum One, Base, ZKsync Era, Linea and Scroll among its built-in real networks. It also supports Ethereum Mainnet and other EVM networks such as BNB Smart Chain and Polygon.

Is Polygon the same thing as an Ethereum Layer 2?

The term 'Polygon' can refer to several technologies. Polygon PoS, commonly called Polygon in wallet network lists, is an EVM-compatible sidechain rather than an Ethereum rollup L2. It is better to describe Terenval as supporting multiple EVM networks, including several Ethereum L2s, rather than labeling every EVM network as Layer 2.

Is Terenval preparing additional fee reductions for active users?

Yes. Terenval is preparing an additional fee-reduction system linked to user activity. It is not yet active, and the exact mechanism, eligibility criteria, reduction amounts and launch timing have not yet been published.

Sources and fact checking

Official Terenval sources

Independent technical references

Check current network support, fees and conditions before sending: network parameters change, and confirmed blockchain transactions can be irreversible.