What is Eclipse (ES) Crypto Coin? The SVM-Based Ethereum Layer 2 Explained

Dec 5, 2025

What is Eclipse (ES) Crypto Coin? The SVM-Based Ethereum Layer 2 Explained

What is Eclipse (ES) Crypto Coin? The SVM-Based Ethereum Layer 2 Explained

Eclipse vs. Ethereum Transaction Cost Calculator

Calculate Your Transaction Cost
Transaction Cost Comparison
Your Estimated Cost: 0.0000 ES
Equivalent to: 0.0000 ETH

Why this matters:

Eclipse transactions cost nearly nothing compared to Ethereum mainnet. While Ethereum charges $5-50+ per transaction, Eclipse uses its native ES token with near-zero fees due to its SVM architecture and Solana-like parallel processing.

Speed Comparison
Ethereum: 15-30 TPS (Transactions Per Second)
Eclipse: ~9,000 TPS
Most L2s: Max 50 TPS
How Eclipse Works

Eclipse uses Solana's SVM (Solana Virtual Machine) for high-speed transaction processing, while inheriting Ethereum's security through settlement on Ethereum mainnet. This hybrid architecture enables near-zero fees and 9,000+ TPS throughput - all while keeping your assets secure on Ethereum.

Eclipse (ES) isn't another altcoin trying to be Bitcoin. It’s a blockchain built to fix a real problem: Ethereum’s slow, expensive transactions - but without giving up its security or liquidity. Launched in mid-2025, Eclipse combines the speed of Solana’s execution engine with Ethereum’s deep pools of capital and trust. Think of it as a high-performance express lane built directly onto Ethereum’s highway.

How Eclipse Works: The Hybrid Engine

Eclipse doesn’t compete with Ethereum - it enhances it. While most Layer 2s like Arbitrum or Optimism run on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), Eclipse uses the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM). That means it executes transactions using Solana’s parallel processing tech, which is built for speed, not just sequential logic.

Here’s the catch: every transaction still gets settled on Ethereum. That’s the security layer. And the data? It’s stored on Celestia, a dedicated data availability network. This three-part setup - SVM for speed, Ethereum for security, Celestia for data - is what Eclipse calls a “Giga Scale Virtual Machine.”

In real-world tests, Eclipse has hit nearly 9,000 transactions per second (TPS). Compare that to Ethereum’s mainnet, which handles 15-30 TPS, or even Polygon zkEVM at around 2,000 TPS. Most EVM-based L2s max out at 50 TPS in live use. Eclipse isn’t just faster - it’s in a different league.

The ES Token: Gas, Governance, and Value

The ES token is the lifeblood of the Eclipse network. It’s used as the native gas token - meaning you pay for transactions in ES, not ETH. This is a key difference from other L2s. Some sources say ETH is used for gas, but Eclipse’s own documentation confirms ES is the primary gas token through its native paymaster system. That means users don’t need to hold ETH to interact with the chain.

There’s a total supply of 1 billion ES tokens. As of July 2025, about 132.64 million are in circulation, with a market cap around $11.7 million. The token price hovered near $0.09, down slightly from its peak after the Token Generation Event (TGE) on July 16, 2025. The fully diluted valuation is $88.33 million, meaning there’s still a lot of supply left to enter the market.

Token distribution is heavily weighted toward private investors and ecosystem growth. Only 15% went to public sale. The rest is locked for team, advisors, and future development. That’s a red flag for some, but Eclipse argues it’s necessary to fund long-term infrastructure.

Why Eclipse Exists: Bridging SOL and ETH

Eclipse isn’t trying to replace Ethereum or Solana. It’s trying to connect them. Ethereum has $66 billion locked in DeFi. Solana has $12 billion and much faster transactions. Eclipse lets users move assets between both chains without leaving their wallets.

Imagine depositing SOL into Eclipse, then using it to earn yield on an Ethereum-based lending protocol - all without paying Ethereum gas fees. Or trading ETH for SOL on a decentralized exchange running on Eclipse, with 2-second finality. That’s the “Home of SOL-ETH DeFi” vision.

There are already 17 live protocols on Eclipse, including 3 major DEXs and 2 lending platforms. Early users report swapping 50 tokens in under 2 seconds with near-zero fees. For traders and gamers, that’s a game-changer.

A developer at a keyboard with a split view showing slow Ethereum transactions vs. fast Eclipse lightning bolts.

Who’s Using It - And Who’s Struggling

Early adopters fall into two groups. Solana developers love it. They can deploy smart contracts in Rust in 2-3 days using existing tools. One Reddit user said, “I bridged SOL and did 50 swaps before my coffee got cold.”

Ethereum developers? Not so much. If you’ve built on Solidity for years, switching to SVM means learning a whole new language and architecture. One developer on Ethereum Stack Exchange said migrating their DeFi app took three extra weeks because they had to rewrite everything. The learning curve is steep.

Wallet compatibility is another hurdle. MetaMask doesn’t natively support Eclipse. Users have to manually add custom RPCs - a barrier for non-technical users. Only 1,370 wallets hold ES tokens so far. That’s tiny compared to Arbitrum’s millions.

Competition and Risks

Eclipse entered a crowded field. Arbitrum, Optimism, zkSync, and Polygon all have bigger ecosystems, more developers, and better documentation. Eclipse’s biggest weakness isn’t tech - it’s adoption. No one uses a blockchain unless other people are using it too.

Experts are divided. CryptoNinjas analyst Maria Chen called it “compelling for high-frequency trading.” But Dr. Alan Torres from Zurich warned the hybrid model could create security blind spots. Delphi Digital gave it 3.5/5 - innovative, but behind on ecosystem growth.

Regulatory risk is real. ES could be classified as a security under new EU rules. ESMA flagged hybrid L2 tokens as “novel challenges.” If regulators step in, it could delay or restrict access.

A floating DeFi marketplace with users trading tokens on a spinning wheel, connected by a bridge to Ethereum and Solana.

What’s Next for Eclipse

The roadmap is ambitious. By Q3 2025, Eclipse plans to launch native cross-chain messaging between Ethereum and Solana - meaning assets can move back and forth without bridges. Q4 brings hardware wallet support, which would help institutional adoption. And in Q1 2026, they plan to upgrade ES to a governance token, letting holders vote on upgrades.

Their new “Turbo Tap” feature, rolled out in August 2025, is already boosting transaction efficiency. If they deliver on their roadmap, Eclipse could become the go-to for cross-chain DeFi.

But if they don’t? They’ll be just another footnote in blockchain history. The tech is solid. The team has experience - CEO Vijay Chetty worked at Ripple, dYdX, and Uniswap. But technology alone doesn’t win. Community does.

Should You Care About Eclipse (ES)?

If you’re a trader, DeFi user, or gamer who hates slow transactions and high fees - yes. Eclipse offers real speed and low cost. If you’re an Ethereum developer who wants to stick with Solidity - maybe wait. The tooling isn’t ready yet.

For investors, ES is high-risk, high-reward. The market cap is tiny. The token supply is still mostly locked. If adoption grows even 10x, the price could surge. But if developers don’t build on it, it could stagnate.

Right now, Eclipse is a bet on the future of blockchain interoperability. It’s not the safest play. But if Ethereum and Solana keep growing, and users demand faster, cheaper access to both - Eclipse might just be the bridge that finally connects them.

Is Eclipse (ES) a good investment?

Eclipse (ES) is speculative. The token price is low, the market cap is small, and most supply is still locked. If Eclipse gains traction among DeFi users and developers, the price could rise significantly. But if adoption stalls, it may not recover. Only invest what you can afford to lose.

Can I use MetaMask with Eclipse?

Not directly. MetaMask doesn’t support Eclipse out of the box. You need to manually add Eclipse’s custom RPC network settings. There are step-by-step guides in the Eclipse Wiki, but this is a barrier for non-technical users. Wallet support is expected to improve in late 2025.

What’s the difference between SVM and EVM?

EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) runs code one transaction at a time, which limits speed. SVM (Solana Virtual Machine) runs many transactions in parallel using a system called Sealevel. This lets SVM handle thousands of transactions per second. Eclipse uses SVM for speed but still settles on Ethereum for security.

Do I need ETH to use Eclipse?

No. Eclipse uses ES as its native gas token through its paymaster system. You don’t need ETH to pay for transactions. However, you’ll need ETH if you’re bridging assets from Ethereum to Eclipse.

Is Eclipse safe?

Eclipse inherits Ethereum’s security by settling transactions on Ethereum’s mainnet. Data is stored on Celestia, a secure, decentralized data layer. However, the hybrid architecture is new and untested at scale. Smart contract bugs or bridge exploits could still occur. Always use trusted wallets and double-check contracts before interacting.

Where can I buy ES tokens?

ES is listed on several decentralized exchanges like Uniswap and Jupiter, and centralized exchanges including KuCoin and Gate.io. Always verify the contract address before buying - scams are common with new tokens. Use official links from eclipse.xyz.

Can I stake ES tokens?

Not yet. Staking and governance features are planned for Q1 2026. Right now, ES is primarily used for paying gas fees and as a speculative asset. Holders should watch for official announcements about staking launches.

How does Eclipse compare to Solana?

Solana is its own independent blockchain with native SOL tokens. Eclipse is a Layer 2 on Ethereum that uses Solana’s execution tech. You can’t use Eclipse to trade SOL directly - you need to bridge it from Solana first. Eclipse is designed to bring Solana’s speed to Ethereum’s ecosystem, not replace Solana.

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