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Coinbase Payments joins Open Intents Framework to simplify cross-chain transfers
Coinbase Payments has become a core contributor to the Open Intents Framework (OIF), the Ethereum Foundation initiative designed to standardize permissionless, secure cross-chain asset transfers across Ethereum and its Layer 2 networks. The move brings one of crypto's largest custodial and payments teams into a consortium of more than 30 contributors, including major Layer 2 projects and cross-chain protocols.
What the Open Intents Framework does
Launched by the Ethereum Foundation, the OIF provides modular building blocks developers can reuse to create intent-based applications. Key components include solvers, smart contract standards, and UI templates that define how an intent is created, routed, executed, and settled. The framework builds on standards such as ERC-7683 to enable automated, auditable cross-chain operations that are fast and secure.
How intent-based flows work
An intent is a user expression of a desired outcome, for example moving tokens from one L2 to another or routing a multi-hop swap across chains. Once an intent is posted, a solver — a specialized agent or service — finds an execution path and automatically submits the necessary on-chain transactions. This abstraction lets developers focus on user experience and business logic, while solvers handle the complexity of cross-chain execution.
For end users, the benefit is straightforward: transferring assets and data between Ethereum Layer 2 solutions should feel seamless, comparable to standard web payments, while retaining Ethereum security assumptions. In Coinbase's words, the framework is a step toward mainstream applications like ecommerce, where cross-chain payments could become as frictionless as current web experiences.
Why Coinbase joining matters
Coinbase Payments joining OIF signals growing industry coordination around open standards for interoperability. As a widely used exchange and crypto payments provider, Coinbase can contribute production-grade tooling, operational insights, and adoption pathways that help accelerate developer and merchant integration. The addition of Coinbase also underscores the framework's appeal to both infrastructure teams and commercial payments players.
Broad ecosystem participation
The OIF membership now includes leading Layer 2 solutions such as Arbitrum, Optimism, zkSync, and Scroll, along with cross-chain aggregators like LI.FI. Other participants listed among early adop are Wonderland, Taiko, and Across Protocol, which have already integrated OIF modules to experiment with novel cross-chain order types, including cross-chain Dutch auctions.
This broad participation increases the probability that intent standards become a common method for building cross-chain user experiences, helping reduce fragmentation across the Ethereum L2 landscape.
Implications for developers and users
- Developers: OIF reduces engineering overhead by offering reusable components for intent creation, solver integration, and UI. Teams can prototype cross-chain features faster and rely on standardized settlement flows.
- Users: End users may see smoother token transfers and multi-chain actions without manual bridging steps. Solvers and standardized contracts aim to reduce failed transactions and improve predictability.
- Ecosystem: Greater standardization supports composability across L2s and cross-chain services, which could unlock new product types, such as unified checkout experiences and cross-chain marketplaces.
In sum, Coinbase Payments joining the Open Intents Framework represents a pragmatic step toward unified cross-chain interoperability across Ethereum and Layer 2 networks. By contributing to open standards and modular components, Coinbase and other OIF participants are building the plumbing that can make cross-chain asset movement more secure, permissionless, and user friendly.
Source: crypto
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