The Lisk platform has evolved from an independent L1 blockchain into an Ethereum-aligned Layer 2 (L2) network. In 2024, Lisk completed its migration to the Ethereum ecosystem, joining Optimism Superchain and building on Optimism’s OP Stack—so the project is now focused on EVM compatibility, Ethereum security alignment, and ecosystem interoperability rather than a bespoke JavaScript-based blockchain stack.
Basics
In Web3, the biggest adoption bottlenecks are no longer “whether blockchains exist,” but whether founders can ship products that users actually adopt—and whether those products can scale with access to liquidity, infrastructure, and distribution. Increasingly, the industry has converged on EVM standards, which makes it easier for teams to build, integrate, and scale in one common environment.
What Is Lisk Today?
Lisk positions itself as a growth platform for Web3 founders in high-growth markets—especially Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America—combining three pillars:
- on-the-ground programs and incubators,
- dedicated capital via the Lisk EMpower Fund, and
- an Ethereum-aligned L2 so teams can build locally and scale globally.
Through regional initiatives and partners such as Aya, Crecimiento, and AngelHack, Lisk supports post-incubation startups with funding, investor readiness, and growth advisory, with follow-on investment potential for high-performing teams.
How Does Lisk Work as an Ethereum L2?
Lisk is now an OP Stack–based L2 (an optimistic rollup design) and a founding/early member of the Optimism Superchain. This shift means developers generally build on Lisk using standard Ethereum tooling and smart contracts (e.g., Solidity and familiar EVM infrastructure), rather than a custom JavaScript SDK and application-specific sidechains.
Being part of the Superchain is intended to connect Lisk builders to broader liquidity, infrastructure, and interoperability patterns shared across Superchain networks, making it easier to launch locally relevant products that can still plug into global Web3 rails.
What Changed vs. the Old Lisk Model?
Because Lisk moved from an independent L1 to an Ethereum L2, several “classic” Lisk concepts no longer define the platform:
- No Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) as the core security model (the network is no longer operated as a standalone L1 with DPoS-style delegation as its defining consensus mechanism).
- No focus on a JavaScript-first blockchain SDK as the primary developer path—the emphasis shifts to EVM smart contract development and existing Ethereum tooling.
- No roadmap centered on Lisk sidechains as the main scaling framework—scaling is fundamentally approached through the L2 rollup model and Superchain alignment.
What Is LSK Now?
With the migration, LSK also transitioned toward Ethereum standards. Lisk outlined that LSK would migrate to an ERC-20 token on Ethereum (with 1:1 migration mechanics described in their plan), aiming for broader wallet, DeFi, and infrastructure compatibility across the Ethereum ecosystem.
Lisk was founded in 2016 and has operated across multiple regions over the years. In 2024, it marked a major turning point by completing its shift to Ethereum as an L2, positioning itself around real-world adoption in high-growth markets plus Ethereum-aligned infrastructure.
Conclusion
Lisk is no longer best described as a JavaScript SDK + sidechain + DPoS blockchain. Instead, it is an Ethereum-aligned L2 within the Optimism Superchain ecosystem, paired with a growth strategy that blends capital (EMpower Fund), on-the-ground programs, and global infrastructure access—particularly for founders building in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.