Lighter recently announced a partnership with Axiom to develop Lighter EVM, an Ethereum-compatible rollup. This collaboration will allow developers to create versatile applications that leverage Lighter’s strengths and ensure market liquidity with ZK-verified security.
The Lighter EVM will operate similarly to the current Lighter custom circuit system, offering the ability to incorporate additional customizable features while maintaining high-performance trade verification.
Axiom revealed that OpenVM 2.0, known for real-time performance and proven security, will be utilized to verify the Lighter EVM. This verification process will enable users to enjoy lower costs without compromising on security.
Lighter EVM Revolutionizes DeFi Trading Ecosystem
https://t.co/QuvFKuTrG2
— Lighter (@Lighter_xyz) January 30, 2026
Axiom explained that the Lighter EVM offers a smart contract environment compatible with the optimized Lighter system. The integration of custom OpenVM additions tailored to the Plonky2 proof system will enable recursive aggregation of Lighter proofs, facilitating zero-knowledge verification of Lighter EVM and state transitions.
The system will provide real-time verification on the Ethereum mainnet using the high-performance SWIRL proof method, ensuring native composability with perps and spot trading on the Lighter platform while maintaining low-cost, high-throughput EVM execution.
Interoperability between Lighter EVM and core Lighter markets will be facilitated by these verification and execution features.
Lighter highlighted that users can seamlessly interact with its markets through joint settlement on the Ethereum mainnet. This enables asset transfers, order placement, and management of Lighter positions directly from Lighter EVM.
Users will have the ability to switch between execution environments quickly, allowing for rapid async tasks such as staking, order placement, and asset transfers. The company is also exploring ways to reduce write latency and potentially offer a synchronous option.
The system will foster an ecosystem of Lighter-colocated EVM applications that can leverage the Ethereum DeFi community’s capabilities, including stablecoin creation, quick deposit bridges, collateral sharing, and tokenization.
Axiom Expands Fiat-to-Crypto Access through Strategic Partnerships
The collaboration between Axiom and Lighter for the launch of Lighter EVM follows Axiom’s recent initiatives, such as partnering with Onramper to simplify crypto on- and off-ramps for DeFi users worldwide.
Onramper announced a partnership with Axiom to provide a seamless trading experience, offering instant top-ups in BNB and SOL using over 130 payment methods across 190 countries.
“Our job is to simplify the way users move from fiat into crypto. By offering a wide range of trusted, localized payment options, we ensure that users can onboard quickly and compliantly. We’re thrilled to support Axiom as they scale the next generation of DeFi on Solana.”
-Thijs Maas, CEO of Onramper.
Axiom’s CEO, Henry Zhang, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing a quick, international, and user-friendly on-chain trading experience. Integrating Onramper provides users with a reliable way to convert fiat to crypto and access on-chain liquidity.
Aside from its partnership with Onramper, Axiom has been expanding fiat-to-crypto access through collaborations, including integration with MoonPay. MoonPay announced its integration with Axiom to offer users a seamless way to purchase crypto instantly using familiar payment methods, bridging the gap between fiat and DeFi.