Fun

Ethereum's future hinges on interoperable layer-2s

News Feed - 2024-07-10 12:07:02

Ken Timsit8 hours agoEthereum"s future hinges on interoperable layer-2sEthereum layer-2 fragmentation may require a ZKP fix in the future, but interoperable L2s are the surest fix in the meantime.388 Total views1 Total sharesListen to article 0:00OpinionOwn this piece of crypto historyCollect this article as NFTJoin us on social networksIt’s almost universally agreed within the cryptosphere that the Ethereum blockchain is good – but not perfect. The vast majority of Ethereum virtual machine (EVM) developers agree that if the layer-1’s (L1) execution layer were fast and scalable, there would be less of a need for layer-2 (L2) solutions. Yet, we know that Ethereum’s future depends on L2 solutions.The double-edged sword of L2s


While L2s have demonstrated their ability to speed transactions, dramatically lower gas fees, and exponentially scale transaction volumes — those gains do come with a significant trade-off — multiple L2 blockchains operating in isolation of each other, also known as “fragmentation.”


CoinGecko currently ranks 46 different L2 solutions on its list of off-chain vertical scaling protocols, many of which run on Ethereum to boost its scalability while maintaining security standards and decentralized functionality. However, such an array of L2 options can create interoperability issues; innovation siloes; as well as sub-par user experiences. The original L1s had similar fragmentation issues when they launched including: different consensus methods, unique architectures, and performance constraints.Ethereum may implement enshrined ZK-EVM in the future


Having lived through the fragmentation challenges of the L1s, it’s not a surprise that Ethereum’s co-founder Vitalik Buterin said in December that he supports the idea of installing an “enshrined ZK-EVM” upgrade for his blockchain.


Related: Bitcoin’s sell-off could put ETF shares on the discount rack


Even though zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs)have been around for decades, they’ve really become popular within the blockchain and cryptocurrency space during the past few years. Using cryptography, ZK tech enables two parties to agree that a claim is valid without exchanging details of the claim.Vitalik Buterin opined on enshrined ZK-EVMs in December 2023. Source X


In theory, the idea has a lot of merit with a whole lot of new complexity as well. For example, one rule change he proposes would require adding a pre-state root and post-state root to each block that enters the consensus layer. 


Meaning that each block gets a special type of cryptographic proof showing that the transactions in the block are valid and then correctly updates the blockchain"s state. This proof doesn’t give away any extra information about the transactions themselves, just that they are correct. Also, there could be an option to use multiple such proofs for even greater security.


However in practical execution, a single rule change could create challenges for hundreds of Layer-2 developers and programmers on the EVM when it comes to compatibility, upgradability, and adaptability within their existing systems. An Ethereum with enshrined ZK-EVM is probably not right around the corner.Interoperable L2 ecosystems are the solution for now


To address the issue of fragmentation, end-users and developers need to be able to exchange crypto-assets information between L2s in a cheap and fast way, without having to make a stop on the Ethereum L1.


Fortunately, a few L2 ecosystems are focused on delivering just that, most notably ZKsync"s ZK Stack and Polygon"s CDK. When a new blockchain network is deployed using one of these frameworks, it shares a common bridge to Ethereum with the other chains that leverage the same framework. Additionally, as all the chains that use the same framework also share a common proof system, it should be possible to send cross-chain messages in an increasingly cheap and fast way, while still relying on the security of the underlying Ethereum L1.


Related: Layer-2 rollups must decentralize sequencers or face the consequences


For the time being, these ecosystems are not interoperable with each other. For example, ZK Stack chains are only interoperable with other ZK Stack chains. Besides, even within a single ecosystem, the technology implementations, wallet integrations and user interfaces are still at a very early stage.


Nevertheless, these L2 solutions already represent a step-change toward a new era in blockchain technology. They can be used by developers to explore the use cases and user experiences made possible by cross-chain communication secured by Ethereum.


For example, with this new approach, it would be possible for a user to lock one crypto-asset as collateral on one L2 chain while borrow another crypto-asset on another L2 chain.


The bottom line is that, while Ethereum has laid the foundational groundwork for decentralized applications, it is clear that the mantle of progress now firmly rests on the shoulders of L2 solutions.Ken Timsit is a guest author for Cointelegraph and the managing director of Cronos chain and Cronos Labs, an Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible layer-1 blockchain network built on the Cosmos SDK. Prior to joining Cronos in 2021, he served for five years as the chief revenue officer at Consensys. He started his career at the Boston Consulting Group, where he spent 15 years in Paris, New York and Singapore, and was a partner and managing director focused on financial services and fintech. He subsequently co-founded an e-commerce startup in Southeast Asia. 


This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.# Ethereum# Analysis# Technology# Vitalik Buterin# Tech Analysis# Layer2# Opinion# zk-RollupAdd reaction

News Feed

Indian Crypto Boom: New Traders Flood Exchanges — CEOs Reveal What’s Driving Massive Growth
Indian Crypto Boom: New Traders Flood Exchanges — CEOs Reveal What"s Driving Massive Growth The Indian cryptocurrency industry is experiencing massive growth.
Minting of ․VR, ․Metaverse, ․Chain NFT Domains Now Live on Quik․com
Minting of ․VR, ․Metaverse, ․Chain NFT Domains Now Live on Quik․com sponsored It is official! Minting of NFT domains is now live on the Quik marketplace!
Mastercard Debuts Blockchain Surveillance Tool for Banks and Crypto-Centric Card Issuers
Mastercard Debuts Blockchain Surveillance Tool for Banks and Crypto-Centric Card Issuers On Tuesday, the multinational financial services corporation Mastercard revealed that it is
Wall Street Journal Reporter Chastised Over Satoshi Nakamoto ‘Unmasking’ Editorial
Wall Street Journal Reporter Chastised Over Satoshi Nakamoto ‘Unmasking’ Editorial During the last week, mainstream media outlets have been publishing reports that say “
Bitcoin Bearish Case Emerges – Is A Dump To $73,000 Coming?
Este artículo también está disponible en español. A new technical analysis on TradingView suggests Bitcoin may be approaching a decisive moment, with a possible breakdown
Nearly $1 Billion Poured Into Egypt’s Forex Market — Local Currency Now World’s Worst Performing Currency in 2023
Nearly $1 Billion Poured Into Egypt"s Forex Market — Local Currency Now World"s Worst Performing Currency in 2023 The Egyptian central bank recently claimed that its decision to
Mad Money’s Jim Cramer Expects Bitcoin to Fall to $12,000
Mad Money"s Jim Cramer Expects Bitcoin to Fall to $12,000 The host of Mad Money, Jim Cramer, has predicted that bitcoin’s price will fall to $12,000. Nonetheless, he has rec
Launchpool Plans to Launch an Egalitarian Model for All Stakeholders
Launchpool Plans to Launch an Egalitarian Model for All Stakeholders Launchpool : noun – A group of crypto industry participants who pool together resource
Market Strategist Michael Wilkerson Believes US Inflation Could Rise to 12% by Year-End Despite Predictions of Decrease
Market Strategist Michael Wilkerson Believes US Inflation Could Rise to 12% by Year-End Despite Predictions of Decrease While several market strategists and analysts expect U.S. in
India Seizes Assets in $162M Morris Coin Cryptocurrency Investment Scheme
India Seizes Assets in $162M Morris Coin Cryptocurrency Investment Scheme Indian Enforcement Directorate has seized assets worth approximately $5 million in connection with an alle
Bitcoin traders back in profit even as price slows alongside spot BTC ETF inflows
Nancy Lubale3 hours agoBitcoin traders back in profit even as price slows alongside spot BTC ETF inflowsDespite this week’s Bitcoin price sell-off, the rally to $68,000 put short-term traders back in profit and onchain
Chainlink Whales Dump Over 170 Million LINK In Three Weeks – Selling Pressure Ahead?
Reason to trust Strict editorial policy that focuses on accuracy, relevance, and impartiality Created by industry experts and meticulously reviewed The highest standards in reporting and pu