Coinbase Payments became a core contributor to the Open Intents Framework, collaborating with the Ethereum Foundation to establish open standards for intent execution, enhancing Ethereum's cross-chain ecosystem.

Executive Summary

Coinbase Payments has become a core contributor to the Open Intents Framework (OIF), a collaborative initiative with the Ethereum Foundation and other industry participants. This partnership aims to establish open standards for intent execution at scale, thereby improving the user experience and scalability across the Ethereum cross-chain ecosystem. The move is anticipated to foster greater adoption of decentralized applications (dApps) and cross-chain activities.

The Event in Detail

Coinbase Payments announced its participation in the OIF on September 17. The OIF, officially launched by the Ethereum Foundation in February 2025, is a modular framework supported by over 30 teams, including major Layer 2 solutions such as Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, and zkSync. The initiative seeks to unify intent-based execution across the entire Ethereum ecosystem by simplifying complex multi-chain interactions.

The framework introduces intent-based blockchain interactions, where users define their desired outcomes, and specialized off-chain agents, known as solvers, execute the optimal transaction routes. This approach addresses the fragmented user experience prevalent in the current multi-chain environment, where users frequently manage assets across various networks like Ethereum and Base. The OIF provides a modular, open-source toolkit for developers, featuring a reference solver implementation and composable smart contracts built upon the proposed ERC-7683 standard. Developed by Uniswap Labs and Across Protocol, ERC-7683 establishes a common language for intent-based transaction execution across networks.

Business Strategy & Market Positioning

Coinbase Payments' decision to join the OIF aligns with a strategy focused on enhancing blockchain interoperability and user experience. By contributing to a standardized framework, Coinbase aims to simplify the complexities associated with cross-chain applications, such as bridging, liquidity fragmentation, and settlement delays. This initiative positions Coinbase at the forefront of efforts to abstract technical complexities from end-users, facilitating more seamless interactions within the multi-chain landscape. The OIF is characterized as a "public good initiative," emphasizing its role in making cross-chain interactions as fluid as modern web experiences.

Market Implications

The collaboration under the OIF is expected to have significant market implications for the Web3 ecosystem. By standardizing intent execution, the framework is poised to increase developer interest and investment in Ethereum's cross-chain capabilities. This standardization can lead to an improved user experience and enhanced scalability across the Ethereum ecosystem, potentially driving greater adoption of dApps and cross-chain activities. The combined ERC-7683 and OIF standards are designed to make cross-chain transactions faster, cheaper, and more secure, while simultaneously abstracting technical complexity from end-users. This paradigm shift supports permissionless, efficient, and accessible intent-based transactions for all projects.

Broader Context

The OIF represents a broader industry trend toward unified, open-source solutions for blockchain interoperability. The support from a diverse group of major Layer 2s and infrastructure providers underscores the growing acceptance of intent-based architectures as foundational for native cross-chain transaction support. Furthermore, the integration of automated solver technology within the OIF aligns with the increasing trend of blockchain-AI integration across the cryptocurrency industry. This collaborative effort signifies a move toward a more integrated and user-friendly Ethereum ecosystem, addressing fragmentation challenges that have emerged during its scaling journey.