TL;DR
- Interchain Integration: The ICF has open-sourced Evmos, now rebranded as Cosmos EVM, integrating EVM compatibility directly into the Cosmos SDK to streamline cross-chain communication between Ethereum and Cosmos.
- Developer Empowerment: Released under the Apache 2.0 license, Cosmos EVM enables developers to easily incorporate Ethereum features, Ethereum wallets, and native ERC-20 tokens.
- Strategic Ecosystem Growth: With leadership shifts and the ICF and Interchain Labs taking stewardship, this move marks a decisive step toward a more collaborative, innovative, and inclusive blockchain future.
The Interchain Foundation (ICF), the steward of the Cosmos ecosystem, has taken a significant step forward by open-sourcing Evmos, now rebranded as Cosmos EVM. This move aims to enhance interoperability between Ethereum and Cosmos, two of the most influential blockchain ecosystems.
By integrating Evmos into the official Interchain software stack, including the Cosmos SDK, the ICF is setting the stage for seamless cross-chain communication and innovation. Evmos, originally conceptualized as Ethermint in 2016, was designed to bring EVM compatibility to the Cosmos ecosystem.
It launched on the mainnet in 2022, enabling developers to build EVM-powered blockchains using the Cosmos SDK. Now, as Cosmos EVM, it will serve as the canonical EVM framework for over 200 appchains within the Cosmos ecosystem. Over the past 24 hours, the Evmos token has experienced a significant decline, plummeting by nearly 30%, as reported by CoinMarketCap.
Strengthening the Cosmos Ecosystem
The open sourcing of Cosmos EVM under the Apache 2.0 license marks a new chapter for the Cosmos ecosystem. This initiative allows developers to integrate EVM compatibility, including support for JSON-RPC and Ethereum wallets, into their Cosmos-based blockchains.
The lightweight EVM configuration also supports native ERC-20 tokens, further bridging the gap between Ethereum and Cosmos. The integration of Cosmos EVM is expected to strengthen cross-chain interoperability, particularly through the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol. This development aligns with the ICF’s mission to foster permissionless innovation and create a more inclusive blockchain ecosystem.
Leadership and Vision
Federico Kunze Küllmer, co-founder of Evmos, will transition from his role as a core contributor to an advisory position. His expertise will guide the ICF in enhancing Cosmos EVM’s interoperability and modular architecture.
Meanwhile, the ICF and its subsidiary, Interchain Labs, will take over as the primary stewards of Cosmos EVM, ensuring its ongoing development and integration. The open sourcing of Cosmos EVM represents a strategic vision for the future of blockchain technology.
By merging the best of Ethereum and Cosmos, this initiative promises to unlock new possibilities for developers and users alike. As the blockchain landscape continues to evolve, the ICF’s commitment to innovation and collaboration sets a strong foundation for the future.