Exaion Powers Up as Etherlink Validator on Tezos-Powered L2 Blockchain

French Tech Giant's Subsidiary Joins the Game

Hold onto your hats, crypto fans! Exaion, the brainchild of French electric utility giant EDF Group, just stepped into the ring as a validator for Etherlink. This isn't just any blockchain—it's a Tezos-powered layer 2 beast that's shaking things up!

Exaion isn't new to the scene. They've been slinging high-performance computing and cloud solutions for blockchains like a pro. Now, they're diving into Etherlink, an Ethereum (ETH) Virtual Machine compatible L2 that's powered by Tezos (XTZ) smart rollups. And guess what? They're not just joining—they're validating!

This move comes hot on the heels of Exaion's big splash in October 2020 when they joined Tezos as a corporate baker. Talk about climbing the ranks!

So, what's the deal with Etherlink? It's an EVM-compatible layer 2 platform that's all about non-custodial, seamless integration with Ethereum tools. They're using Tezos' rollup tech to boost scalability and keep things accountable. And it's not just Ethereum—Etherlink is playing nice with wallets, indexers, and other EVM-compatible chains. Launched in late 2024, this chain is on fire!

Fatih Balyeli, the CEO and co-founder of Exaion, is pumped. "By joining Etherlink as a Smart Rollup node operator, we can play a role in maintaining network security while providing a high-quality digital service to anyone using the chain," he said. "We're proud to continue supporting Tezos, an example of French technological ingenuity that aligns with our own mission."

Etherlink Gains Traction, Attracts Big Names

Exaion's move to become an Etherlink validator is happening at a time when the Tezos L2 blockchain solution is picking up steam, just months after going live. Etherlink isn't messing around—it's already attracted heavy hitters like Spiko, the money market funds platform, and Midas, the Coinbase-backed real-world assets platform.

But that's not all. Other platforms are jumping on the Etherlink bandwagon, testing everything from tokenized assets to contract deployments. With Exaion launching validator operations, the network's stability and decentralization are getting a serious boost as it continues to grow.

Arthur Breitman, the co-founder of Tezos, knows what's up. "Rollup security relies on the presence of at least one honest validator," he said. "So the more reputable parties validating the Etherlink rollup, the more robust it is."