The rise of Layer 2 (L2) solutions and the explosive growth of decentralized finance (DeFi) have brought unprecedented scalability and innovation to the Ethereum ecosystem. However, with progress comes complexity—specifically, the growing issue of liquidity fragmentation. As assets and transactions spread across multiple L1s and L2s, users face a fragmented landscape where each chain operates in isolation, much like shopping in a mall where every store requires a different currency.
To tackle this, the Ethereum Foundation introduced the Open Intents Framework in February 2025—an ambitious initiative aimed at unifying cross-chain experiences and enabling seamless, intent-driven interactions across the Ethereum ecosystem. Backed by over 50 protocols within days of launch, this framework centers around a new standard: ERC-7683.
But can ERC-7683 truly become the universal “supermarket” for Ethereum’s interchain intents—like Walmart for global retail? Let’s explore.
The Liquidity Fragmentation Challenge on Ethereum
As of 2025, more than 100 Ethereum-based chains are live, each hosting its own DeFi protocols, liquidity pools, and user bases. While this diversification fosters innovation, it also fractures liquidity. Assets locked on Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, or zkSync cannot easily interact with one another, leading to:
- Inefficient capital utilization
- Poor user experience due to manual bridging
- Increased slippage and transaction costs
- Isolated ecosystems lacking interoperability
This fragmentation mirrors a marketplace where every vendor speaks a different language and uses a unique payment system—possible to navigate, but far from optimal.
👉 Discover how intent-centric solutions are reshaping cross-chain trading efficiency.
The Ethereum Foundation’s response? Open Intents Framework, a modular, open-source solution designed to abstract away the complexity of cross-chain operations by focusing on what users want (intent) rather than how it’s executed.
What Is the Open Intents Framework?
The Open Intents Framework is built on three core components that empower developers and users alike:
1. Open-Source Solvers
Written in TypeScript, these solvers process user intents without relying on proprietary infrastructure. They are protocol-agnostic and support critical functions like order indexing, transaction submission, and liquidity rebalancing. Developers can customize them to fit specific use cases while maintaining compatibility with the broader ecosystem.
2. Composable Smart Contracts
Pre-built smart contracts streamline intent execution. By default, they support limit-order trading and settlement via Hyperlane’s Interchain Security Module (ISM)—ensuring secure, verifiable communication between chains.
3. Customizable UI Templates
User experience matters. The framework includes plug-and-play interface templates that make intent-based applications accessible to non-technical users, reducing the learning curve associated with DeFi and cross-chain interactions.
Together, these tools aim to deliver a “single-chain-like” experience across Ethereum’s multi-chain reality.
ERC-7683: The Backbone of Cross-Chain Intent Standardization
At the heart of Open Intents lies ERC-7683, a universal standard co-developed by Across Protocol and Uniswap Labs. This Ethereum Request for Comment defines a structured way to express and execute cross-chain operations—especially between L2s and sidechains.
Key Components of ERC-7683
CrossChainOrder Structure
Defines a standardized format for cross-chain orders, ensuring consistency across platforms and blockchains. This structure enables interoperability by clearly outlining transaction parameters such as source chain, destination chain, token types, and amounts.
ISettlementContract Interface
Standardizes how settlements are processed across chains. It allows flexible integration with various settlement layers (e.g., Hyperlane, LayerZero), enabling customized workflows while maintaining security and reliability.
Fulfil Mechanism
Enables third-party solvers (or "fillers") to execute user intents in exchange for fees. This creates a competitive marketplace for intent resolution, driving down costs and improving execution efficiency.
Fill Deadline
A Unix timestamp indicating when an intent expires. If not fulfilled by this time, the intent is automatically invalidated—preventing stale or stuck transactions.
Order Data Type (orderDataType)
Uses EIP-712 typed hashing to define the schema of intent data. This ensures that all parties interpret the intent correctly, regardless of the chain or platform involved.
Order Data (orderData)
Contains the core parameters of the transaction: tokens involved, quantities, recipient addresses, chain IDs, etc. This payload is what solvers use to fulfill the intent accurately.
Why ERC-7683 Matters: Seamless Cross-Chain Interactions
ERC-7683’s primary advantage is interoperability through standardization. Instead of requiring users to manually bridge assets, swap tokens, and monitor multiple chains, they simply declare their intent—for example:
“Swap 1 ETH on Arbitrum for 3,500 USDC on Base.”
The system then finds the optimal path, executes the trade via available liquidity, and settles it securely across chains—all without user intervention.
This abstraction dramatically lowers the technical barrier for everyday users and enhances capital efficiency across DeFi.
Enhancing DAO Governance Across Chains
Beyond trading, ERC-7683 has transformative implications for decentralized governance. DAOs operating across multiple chains can now propose and execute votes using standardized intents. For instance:
“Vote ‘Yes’ on Proposal #123 across all supported L2s if quorum is reached.”
With unified intent execution, DAOs gain flexibility, transparency, and efficiency—critical for long-term sustainability in a multi-chain world.
Intent vs. DeFAI: Two Paths to DeFi Evolution
While both intent-driven architectures and DeFAI (Decentralized Finance + AI) aim to improve DeFi usability and efficiency, their approaches differ significantly.
Intent-Centric Systems (e.g., ERC-7683)
Focus on:
- Simplifying user interaction via declarative transactions
- Aggregating liquidity across chains
- Automating execution through solver networks
By abstracting complexity, intents empower users to focus on outcomes rather than processes.
DeFAI (AI-Powered DeFi)
Leverages artificial intelligence to:
- Predict market movements
- Optimize yield strategies
- Detect fraud and mitigate risk
Projects like Hey Anon have demonstrated early success in automating AI-driven trades. However, DeFAI often requires centralized data inputs or oracles, raising concerns about decentralization.
👉 See how AI and intent models are converging to redefine smart trading.
Ultimately, both paths address scalability and liquidity—but intents offer a more immediate solution to Ethereum’s fragmentation problem by focusing on connectivity, while DeFAI enhances intelligence within isolated systems.
Why Uniswap Is Key to ERC-7683 Adoption
Despite broad support, Uniswap remains central to ERC-7683’s success. Here’s why:
- Dominant Liquidity Position: Uniswap hosts the deepest liquidity pools on Ethereum and major L2s. Any intent involving token swaps will likely route through Uniswap markets.
- Developer Influence: As a leader in DeFi innovation, Uniswap’s endorsement lends credibility and encourages other protocols to integrate.
- Strategic Alignment: Uniswap Labs’ involvement ensures ERC-7683 aligns with real-world trading needs—making it practical, not just theoretical.
Without Uniswap’s infrastructure and ecosystem reach, widespread adoption of ERC-7683 would face significant hurdles.
Can ERC-7683 Be Ethereum’s “Walmart”?
Imagine Walmart: a one-stop shop where you can find everything you need under one roof, regardless of brand or origin. ERC-7683 aims to be that for Ethereum—a universal marketplace for intents, where users access aggregated liquidity, execute complex cross-chain actions, and interact with DeFi seamlessly.
But challenges remain:
- Network effects depend on continued protocol adoption
- Security models must evolve to handle cross-chain settlement risks
- User education is essential for mainstream uptake
Still, with strong backing from the Ethereum Foundation, Uniswap, and Across Protocol, ERC-7683 is uniquely positioned to become the foundational layer for intent-based finance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is an "intent" in blockchain terms?
An intent is a user declaration of desired outcome—such as swapping tokens or transferring assets—without specifying the exact steps. The network handles execution automatically.
Q2: How does ERC-7683 differ from existing bridging solutions?
Unlike traditional bridges that move assets physically, ERC-7683 enables intent-based settlement, where value is delivered via coordinated actions across chains without direct fund transfers.
Q3: Who can fulfill an intent under ERC-7683?
Any authorized solver or service provider (called a "filler") can fulfill intents by submitting valid proofs and earning fees upon successful completion.
Q4: Is ERC-7683 limited to Ethereum?
While built for Ethereum and its L2s, the standard can be extended to other EVM-compatible chains through interoperability protocols like Hyperlane.
Q5: Does ERC-7683 require trust in third parties?
No. Settlements are secured through cryptographic proofs and smart contract verification, minimizing reliance on trusted intermediaries.
Q6: How does ERC-7683 impact gas fees?
By optimizing execution paths and batching transactions across chains, ERC-7683 can reduce effective gas costs for users—especially for complex multi-step operations.
👉 Start exploring intent-driven trading platforms today and experience frictionless cross-chain DeFi.
As Ethereum evolves into a truly multi-chain ecosystem, standards like ERC-7683 will play a pivotal role in unifying experience, liquidity, and innovation. Whether it becomes the “Walmart” of interchain intents depends not just on technology—but on community adoption, developer engagement, and sustained ecosystem growth. The foundation is set; the future is intent-driven.