L2 Planet Issue #16
In this Issue of L2 Planet, we focused on the developments regarding Arbitrum, Boba, BNB Chain, zkSync, Polygon Hermez, Scroll, and StarkNet Ecosystem.
Arbitrum Goerli Testnet
As mentioned in L2 Planet Issue #11, Arbitrum launched its Nitro devnet on Goerli in April. Now, the team is coming out with a new testnet, Arbitrum Rollup Goerli!
The new Goerli testnet has an entirely new chain state and will replace the existing Goerli devnet. Arbitrum will use the new testnet for long-term tests of Arbitrum Rollup. So, what is the next step for Nitro? Later this month, Arbitrum will migrate the Arbitrum Rollup Rinkeby testnet to Nitro. Unfortunately, the Ethereum Foundation is planning to deprecate Rinkeby around Q2/Q3 2023 but the Arbitrum team will keep Arbitrum Rollup Rinkeby until deprecated.
Once the Rinkeby migration to Nitro is complete, the team will have completed two of the three major milestones for Nitro migration on the Arbitrum mainnet. If everything goes well on testnet migrations, we will be ready for the Arbitrum Nitro mainnet. Are you ready for Nitro speed, Anon?
Bobaopera and Bobabase
As mentioned in L2 Planet Issue #13, Boba is going to be the first multi-chain L2 solution. They are building an Optimistic Rollup on top of Moonbeam and Fantom.
Firstly, the Boba team has launched the Bobabase L2 testnet for the Moonbase testnet. There is a faucet that you can claim test tokens by connecting to Metamask and receiving authentication via Twitter, thanks to Boba’s Turing Complete capabilities. Also, you can both bridge and exit BOBA and GLMR test tokens from Moonbase and Bobabase. Check out docs for detailed info. There is also a hack challenge! Boba and Moonbeam are organizing a hack challenge to celebrate the upcoming Bobabeam launch. Developers can submit any kind of open-source projects such as games, DeFi apps, bridge front-ends, etc. If you are interested in the challenge, check the docs now!
That’s not at all! The Boba team has launched its Bobaopera L2 testnet on top of the Fantom Network. Just like on Bobabase, devs can use the faucet to claim BOBA test tokens and use the bridge to move FTM and BOBA test tokens between testnets.
BSC’s zkBAS
Binance collaborated with Zecrey in order to build next-generation sidechains called zkBAS.
Before zkBAS (zk-based BNB Application Sidechains), Binance and their partners will build the framework of BAS (BNB Application Sidechains) for dedicated chains. BAS will come with full Ethereum compatibility (EVM) and operate on the PoSA (Proof of Stake Authority) consensus. BAS dedicated chains are a suitable solution for dApps with high network usage, such as GameFi or SocialFi. After BAS development is completed, zkBAS will follow. zkBAS will offer users smoother cross-chain functionality and high transaction capacity (up to 10k TPS) with nearly zero fees. This tech advancement will come in two phases:
Phase one will focus on the rollup onto BSC for BEP20 and NFTs operations on BAS.
Phase two will be a specific application dedicated to ZK Rollup via generic circuit generators.
The BNB Core team is planning to complete developments of zkBAS between Q4 2022 and Q1 2023, after BAS development is completed. Check out BNB Chain Tech Development Roadmap 2022 for further details.
DeversiFi Rebranding
DeversiFi rebranded, it is now rhino.fi! The changes are not only limited to its new name but also their app functionality.
Previously, DeversiFi was a Layer-2 DEX which allows for trading instant and gas-free. The team heard the voices of DeFi users and pushed forward to solve their problems. Rhino.fi isn’t just a Layer-2 DEX. Users no longer have to tussle with third-party bridges, multiple wallets, security issues, etc. Yes, rhino.fi will be a DeFi Hub for the multi-chain world. You are able to swap tokens gasless paying low fees without switching networks or using risky bridges via the new platform and you don’t have to hold native tokens to pay network fees! Rhino.fi will also offer yield opportunities to its users. Reminder, rhino.fi supports Ethereum, Polygon, and Arbitrum deposits.
The team started its cross-chain journey with Polygon network and is planning to support Arbitrum, Optimism, Avalanche, BNB chain, Polkadot, Cosmos, and more. We can’t wait to test upcoming features!
zkEVM Wars
The zkEVM wars have begun! Three Layer-2 projects introduced their zkEVMs on EthCC5 Paris. Let’s talk about the differences in their approach and compare them.
zkSync: zkSync uses compilers to achieve zkEVM. This means zkSync’s zkEVM is compatible at the language level, not the bytecode level. LLVM can compile the smart contracts written in Rust, Vyper, Zinc, and Solidity. It is essential to understand that using another compiler to achieve zkEVM does not mean you are zkEVM equivalent.
However, zkSync has the first-mover advantage over others, zkSync 1.0 already supports payments. They are one of the most well known zkRollups in the Ethereum ecosystem. When mainnet? The team plans to switch to mainnet in 100 days. There is also a rumor for zkSync 3.0!
Polygon Hermez: Hermez’s zkEVM is compatible at the bytecode level, not the language level. This means Hermez’s zkEVM is EVM equivalent. The main difference between Hermez and Scroll is that Hermez represents the opcodes as mini opcodes just before execution. According to the announcement, the team also open sourced its zkEVM.
Scroll: Ethereum Foundation and Scroll are building the zkEVM together for over a year. Scroll’s zkEVM is compatible at the bytecode level, like Hermez’s zkEVM. This means Scroll’s zkEVM is EVM equivalent, but unlike Hermez, it can run bytecodes as-is without any additional work behind the scenes. The team also announced their pre-alpha testnet for external testers, there are already more than 18k people signed up for the pre-alpha testnet.
StarkNet Ecosystem
Aspect NFT Marketplace announced the mainnet transition, making it the first NFT market to be active on the network.
Pxl NFT was minted by users as the first NFT product on StarkNet.
StarkDefi published their testnet roadmap, ‘The Road to Testnet’.
StarkSheet team announced their roadmap.
Matchbox DAO announced the winners of its hackathon.
Magnety, an on-chain asset management platform, launched as Beta on testnet.
AstralyXYZ has made its first pre-sale on the testnet.
Exothium demo gameplay has been published.
Argent.xyz has reached 200k downloads.
StarkNet launching it's own token.
Twitter Corner
Spectating Corner
Reading Corner
Zero Knowledge Proofs, Not Boring
That’s all from L2 Planet for now, hope to see you in 15 days :)