What is Metal L2? How It Works & Where to Use It

Overview

Metal L2 at a glance.

Metal L2 is an Ethereum Layer 2 that launched its mainnet in March 2024, built on the OP Stack as part of the Optimism Superchain. It is EVM-equivalent and positions itself around payments and banking-style applications. Here is how it works and what it is used for, not the price.

Total value locked (DeFi)

n/a

Value locked in DeFi protocols on Metal L2. Updated Sep 19, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.

Native token

ETH

Used for fees and securing the network. See the live ETH price.

How it works

How Metal L2 works.

Metal L2 runs the standard OP Stack architecture: op-geth executes transactions and produces blocks, while op-node handles the consensus and derivation logic that ties the rollup to Ethereum. A sequencer orders transactions and posts batched transaction data back to Ethereum for data availability. Like other OP Stack chains at this stage, the fraud-proof system that would let any party permissionlessly challenge an invalid state is not yet fully live, so security currently relies on the network's operators.

Consensus: OP Stack Optimistic Rollup

Metal L2 runs the standard OP Stack architecture: op-geth executes transactions and produces blocks, while op-node handles the consensus and derivation logic that ties the rollup to Ethereum. A sequencer orders transactions and posts batched transaction data back to Ethereum for data availability. Like other OP Stack chains at this stage, the fraud-proof system that would let any party permissionlessly challenge an invalid state is not yet fully live, so security currently relies on the network's operators.

OP Stack rollup

Metal L2 uses the same open-source OP Stack framework as Optimism, Base and other Superchain members, executing transactions off Ethereum and posting the data back to it.

EVM equivalence

The chain runs the same execution environment as Ethereum, so existing Solidity contracts and developer tooling work without changes.

Superchain membership

As part of the Optimism Superchain, Metal L2 shares a common technology stack and governance framework with sibling OP Stack chains.

Gas paid in ETH

Transactions on Metal L2 are paid for in ETH, the standard default for OP Stack chains, while MTL functions as the network’s own token.

Ecosystem & usage

What Metal L2 is used for.

Metal L2 is built around payments and banking-style applications, aiming to bring compliant, everyday financial use cases onto an EVM-equivalent rollup.

Payments

The chain is designed with everyday payments and money movement in mind, rather than general-purpose DeFi speculation.

EVM contract deployment

Developers can deploy standard EVM contracts and use familiar Ethereum tooling on Metal L2.

Superchain interoperability

Membership in the Optimism Superchain gives Metal L2 a shared path toward interoperability with other OP Stack chains.

In Zypto App

Hold, swap and spend ETH.

Be the reason Metal L2 ships next.

Metal L2 isn’t in Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritised.

Request on X

FAQ

Common questions.

What is Metal L2?

Metal L2 is an Ethereum Layer 2 built on the OP Stack, part of the Optimism Superchain. It launched its mainnet in March 2024 and is EVM-equivalent.

What token pays for gas on Metal L2?

Gas on Metal L2 is paid in ETH, the standard default for OP Stack chains. MTL is the network’s own token.

Is Metal L2 fully decentralized?

Not yet. Like many OP Stack chains at this stage, Metal L2’s fraud-proof system is not fully live, so the network currently relies on its operators rather than a permissionless challenge process.

Is Metal L2 EVM compatible?

Yes. Metal L2 is EVM-equivalent, so Solidity contracts and standard Ethereum developer tooling work on it without changes.

Can I hold MTL in Zypto App?

Not yet. ETH isn't in Zypto App at the moment. You can hold it in any self-custodial wallet, and you can ask us to add Metal L2 using the "Request Metal L2" button above.

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