Considering that most of our models of how life arose on earth involve liquid water interacting with both an energy source and a rocky crust I wonder how a planet with an icy layer sparked abiogenesis. Or how the minerals and materials needed for life get circulated in the oceans. Perhaps there are cracks and vents spewing mantel material out into the oceans. And perhaps there are strong currents that circulate this material that the life feeds off of.
One thing I am sure of is that life is not as delicate or requires such specific conditions to thrive. Only liquid water.