Matter Labs, the group behind zkSync Period, has launched an open-source framework for constructing zk-rollups and layer-3s referred to as the “ZK Stack.”
This framework will allow builders to create unbiased “hyperchains” powered by zero-knowledge proofs, which may seamlessly join in a trustless community, boasting low latency and shared liquidity.
ZkSync Unveils ‘ZK Stack’
The ZK Stack is constructed on the code of zkSync Period – the primary Ethereum Digital Machine (EVM)-compatible ZK rollup – and presents sovereignty with seamless connectivity.
Which means that creators have full rights to the code and might customise and form each facet of the chain, whereas a community of Hyperbridges facilitates the interconnection of each Hyperchain, enabling trustless, quick, and low cost interoperability.
In response to the announcement, the ZK Stack is a major paradigm shift for the zkSync core group, who’ve been laser-focused on constructing essentially the most superior ZK know-how as quick as potential.
The ZK Stack is a response to the challenges outlined within the ZK Credo, and Matter Labs believes that it’s essential to construct the appropriate structure from the very starting to harness the complete potential of ZK’s superpowers.
The ZK Stack is free, developed below absolutely permissive MIT/Apache open-source licenses, and is designed to be modular.
Moreover, builders can customise and form each facet of their Hyperchain, from the selection of sequencer and knowledge availability mode to defining their tokenomics. The ZK Stack is battle-tested, with the zkSync Period standing as essentially the most broadly adopted ZK rollup on Ethereum, guaranteeing safety and reliability.
Whereas the ZK Stack isn’t supposed for everybody, builders who require tailor-made customization for his or her chain or are snug with asynchronous connectivity to the broader ecosystem will discover it helpful.
As an example, these constructing a sport or a social community that requires a light-weight sequencer unburdened by different decentralized purposes (dapps) and use instances. Banks or enterprises in search of a closed personal chain whereas remaining interconnected with the remainder of the ecosystem.
Total, the ZK Stack is a complete framework that gives builders unparalleled flexibility, customization, and scalability. Its modular and composable structure permits builders to construct customized ZK-powered L2s and L3s based mostly on the code of zkSync Period, which is battle-tested and regarded one of the broadly adopted ZK rollups on Ethereum.
Battle Of The Chains
ZkSync and Optimism are each Layer 2 scaling options for Ethereum that use optimistic rollup know-how to extend transaction throughput and cut back charges. Nonetheless, there are some variations between the 2 that set them aside.
One of many important variations is the method they take to fraud proofs. Optimism makes use of fraud proofs, that are basically challenges to the information that has been submitted to the rollup, to make sure that the system stays safe. Fraud proofs require a major quantity of computation and might result in longer wait occasions for customers.
In distinction, ZkSync makes use of zero-knowledge proofs to make sure the validity of the information submitted to the rollup, which permits for sooner transaction occasions and decrease charges. ZkSync’s use of zero-knowledge proofs additionally permits it to help privacy-preserving transactions, which Optimism doesn’t presently supply.
One other distinction between the 2 is their interoperability with the Ethereum community. Optimism requires customers to attend for per week for his or her funds to be withdrawn from the rollup, whereas ZkSync permits withdrawals to be made immediately. This makes ZkSync extra appropriate to be used instances that require near-instant liquidity, comparable to buying and selling.
By way of adoption, each platforms are gaining traction, with ZkSync being utilized by a number of well-known initiatives like Gitcoin, Loopring, and Immutable X, whereas Optimism has been adopted by Uniswap, Synthetix, and different common DeFi protocols.
Featured picture from Unsplash, chart from TradingView.com