Moonbeam Ditches Polkadot for Ethereum Layer 2 in Bet on AI-Powered Payments

Moonbeam Network has announced that it is shifting its focus from Polkadot to Ethereum layer 2 Base. This move aims to build an AI agent communication and settlement network, which Moonbeam calls the 'Moonbeam Protocol'. The protocol will enable autonomous AI agents to coordinate with each other on-chain and settle payments end-to-end.

Moonbeam claims that this pivot is a strategic bet on the next major crypto frontier: agent-to-agent discovery, negotiation, and fully on-chain payments. However, some community members have criticized the move as a setback for Polkadot, which originally launched Moonbeam in January 2022 as a parachain.

Moonbeam token holders are instructed to bridge their assets from Polkadot to Base by July 31, 2026. The company will continue to provide cross-chain interoperability services on Polkadot during the transition and has assured builders and infrastructure providers that it is not abandoning them.