I used to HODL XTZ. Back when Tezos felt like a quiet underdog with potential, I bought in, dreaming of its slow climb to relevance. I liked the on-chain governance, the proof-of-stake model, and the idea that it could be developer-friendly without the chaos of other chains. But over time, I noticed the silence getting louder. The ecosystem started to feel stagnant while others kept pushing forward.

Then came Etherlink — a Layer 2 built on Tezos, promising EVM compatibility and a lifeline for developers fleeing Ethereum’s high fees. They call it a “smart rollup,” but does that tech wizardry actually matter? I’ve heard big claims before. Still, something about this feels different. There’s been movement again around Tezos, even if it’s mostly speculation at this point.

The numbers hint at hope. TVL spiked after certain upgrades, and major players in the space have started nodding in approval. Even some well-known decentralized apps have hinted at building or migrating there. It’s not much, but it’s more than what we’ve seen from Tezos in years. Maybe Etherlink is giving the network a second chance to attract what it previously couldn’t.

Still, I can’t ignore the bigger picture. Tezos’ Layer 1 activity has been declining, and Etherlink’s buzz feels like a last shot at relevance. Can a blockchain built on top of another chain really revive the one beneath it? Or is this just another flashy distraction meant to mask deeper issues?

If Web3 gaming and DeFi projects keep talking about launching on Etherlink, maybe — just maybe — the old XTZ in my wallet isn’t doomed yet. But I’m still skeptical. Is this real growth or just a temporary spark? I want to believe, but I’ve been burned before.

So what do you think? Is Etherlink the savior Tezos needs, or are we all just chasing ghosts?