Blockchain
Scroll launched a testnet model of its Ethereum Layer 2 community on the Goerli testnet, transferring the zk-EVM from a pre-alpha to an alpha testing part.
Till now, Scroll was obtainable to check out on a testnet that was constructed on the venture’s personal clone of Ethereum. By transferring from this to working on a public testnet, Scroll has taken a step ahead in its path towards a full launch within the second half of this yr.
“We’ve been testing with mock mainnet transactions on our pre-alpha testnet however by having a extra public testnet you may have extra time to battle take a look at it and be sure that all the things is working correctly — due to the massive issue of constructing a system like this,” mentioned a researcher referred to as Pseudotheos at Scroll, in an interview.
The testnet can be permissionless however it would stay largely centralized, significantly when it comes to the computer systems that do the complicated processing required for the community to function. The code for the community can be open-source, that means that the community can begin constructing resiliency. Additionally, a bridge has been set as much as switch belongings between the Goerli testnet and Scroll.
Scroll has been engaged on its community for 2 years and at present has 60 workforce members, alongside a wider community of exterior contributors.
What are zk-EVMs?
Zk-EVMs are Layer 2 networks constructed on Ethereum that use zero-knowledge proofs to realize scalability. The EVM half refers back to the Ethereum Digital Machine (EVM), the bit that runs functions as a substitute of merely processing them. By being EVM-compatible, these networks are capable of help Ethereum functions whereas additionally working at scale.
There are two capabilities that make a zk-EVM work. First the sequencer batches up loads of transactions. Then the prover does the complicated zero-knowledge proof calculations to generate a proof that these transactions are all legit. This proof is then broadcast to the Ethereum community and the transactions get accepted.
Proper now, Scroll is getting its community out in public so it may be battle examined however on the identical time, it’s engaged on decentralizing the sequencer and the prover — a key requirement of constructing the community decentralized.
“We need to construct probably the most strong and safe zk-EVM on the market and that’s why we’re doubling down and dealing on a decentralized prover and sequencer community. After mainnet, that’s our most important precedence,” mentioned Pseudotheos. “After the zk-EVM will get out the door, we’re not even near achieved. We’ve got years of labor lower out for us, so far as correctly decentralizing — however that’s our most important precedence.”
Scroll has an in-house safety workforce attempting to verify the community is safe. It has additionally frozen a few of its codebase and despatched it to an auditor for evaluate. It plans to have additional audits down the road.
Why Scroll is taking the tougher route
There are two most important ways in which zk-EVMs might be constructed (technically extra in-between, however let’s not go too deep).
On one facet, you need to use a programming language designed for zero-knowledge proofs after which must translate Ethereum functions from Solidity — Ethereum’s native language — to the brand new language. That is simpler to construct however makes life tougher for builders porting from Ethereum to the platform.
On the opposite facet, you may construct a zk-EVM to make use of the identical code at present used for Ethereum functions. This makes it very easy to port functions over to the community. Nevertheless, it is a a lot tougher process as a result of zero-knowledge proofs work in a really totally different option to how the Ethereum Digital Machine operates — so you must code them to work in a manner they’re not designed to.
Scroll is taking the tougher path to constructing a zk-EVM, however, it hopes, one which can be extra suitable with Ethereum and may spearhead larger adoption.
“When the EVM was designed, it was not designed for zero-knowledge proofs in thoughts in any respect. The best way you write a zero-knowledge program is totally totally different from the best way you write conventional software program,” mentioned Pseudotheos.
This strategy is sort of like writing a sentence in English whereas complying with the syntax guidelines of one other language. Difficult however not not possible.
It has advantages: it ought to make it a lot simpler for Ethereum builders to construct on Scroll and port their initiatives to it. And that’s why Scroll reckons the onerous graft can be price it.
Polygon can be engaged on this kind of zk-EVM, whereas StarkWare is taking the other strategy and zkSync is someplace between the 2.
Whereas Scroll is neck and neck with a number of different initiatives aiming to deliver out a zk-EVM, Pseudotheos doesn’t suppose being first to market will make a lot of a distinction. They pointed to Arbitrum and Optimism, which had been launched a couple of months aside — but are each nonetheless discovering traction.
“It does not matter who’s first,” they mentioned. “I believe that there’s room for co-existence, particularly as loads of these rollups are taking totally different approaches and their nuances with [zero-knowledge proofs].”
