On January 30th, Lighter announced that it is working with Axiom to build Lighter EVM, an Ethereum-compatible rollup. The platform enables developers to leverage the benefits of Lighter and create general-purpose apps that detect market liquidity with ZK-verified security.
According to Lighter, the system will function without modification as the current Lighter custom circuit system, allowing it to add customizable functionality to the platform while maintaining high-performance transaction validation.
Meanwhile, Axiom revealed that OpenVM 2.0, which provides real-time performance and proven health, will be used to validate Lighter EVM, helping consumers achieve cost savings without sacrificing security. This validation enables Lighter EVM to deliver real-time performance and provable soundness, allowing users to pay for lower costs without compromising security.
Lightweight EVM enables fast and configurable DeFi trading ecosystem
https://t.co/QuvFKuTrG2
— Writer (@Lighter_xyz) January 30, 2026
axiom explained Lighter EVM provides an optimized Lighter system compatible smart contract environment. Recursive aggregation of Lighter proofs is enabled by the addition of a custom OpenVM tailored to the Plonky2 proof system, allowing the combination of Lighter EVM and zero-knowledge verification of Lighter state transitions.
According to Axiom, the system leverages the high-performance SWIRL proof method to provide real-time verification on the Ethereum mainnet. Additionally, Axiom claimed that this strategy aims to provide customers with low-cost, high-throughput EVM execution while offering native composability with PERP and spot trading on the Lighter platform.
However, these validation and execution capabilities enable interoperability between Lighter EVM and the core Lighter market.
Lighter outlined that the system will enable rapid interoperability with the market by collaborating with Lighter on the Ethereum mainnet. Users will be able to transfer assets, place orders, and manage Lighter positions from Lighter EVM.
Importantly, users can switch execution environments in seconds without waiting for L1 finality. Reiter said at launch that the system provides quick asynchronous reads for tasks such as staking, orders, and asset transfers.
“We are actively researching ways to potentially reduce write latency and provide synchronization options,” the company said. I wrote With X.
The company also said the system will enable an ecosystem of EVM applications co-located with Lighter that can leverage the power of the Ethereum DeFi community.
According to the trading platform, Lighter EVM offers stablecoins created natively on the platform, a quick deposit bridge, on-system lending and collateral sharing between individuals on Lighter. This system also enables new applications such as tokenization.
Axiom expands access from fiat to crypto through strategic partnership
Axiom and Lighter’s partnership to launch Lighter EVM follows a series of recent initiatives by Axiom, including a partnership with Onramper to simplify cryptocurrency on- and off-ramps for DeFi users around the world.
On December 4th of last year, Onramper announced Our partnership with Axiom provides one of the fastest and smoothest trading experiences in DeFi. The partnership will allow Axiom customers to instantly top up BNB and SOL using more than 130 payment methods, including debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, and localized options in 190 countries.
“Our job is to simplify the way users transition from fiat to crypto. By offering a wide range of trusted, localized payment options, we ensure users can onboard quickly and compliantly. We’re excited to support Axiom as they scale the next generation of DeFi with Solana.”
-Thijs Maas, Onramper CEO.
Axiom CEO and co-founder Henry Zhang also commented on the partnership. He said the company provides a fast, international and user-friendly on-chain trading experience. He also said that Onramper’s integration will provide users with a reliable option to convert fiat to crypto and access on-chain liquidity.
Parallel to its work with Onramper, Axiom continues to expand access from fiat to cryptocurrencies through partnerships, including integration with MoonPay.
On October 8, 2025, financial technology company MoonPay announced that announced The integration with Axio provides Axiom users with a seamless way to instantly purchase cryptocurrencies using familiar payment methods, creating a frictionless bridge between fiat and DeFi.