After more than two years of development, Scroll, an Ethereum Layer-2 zkEVM (Zero-Knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine) protocol, has successfully launched on the Ethereum mainnet. This marks a significant step forward in the quest to enhance the scalability and adoption of the world’s largest smart contract platform.
Scroll made its mainnet debut with an announcement on October 17, although blockchain data revealed that it had been quietly running in stealth mode for approximately a week before the official launch.
Advanced Ethereum Scaling Options
Scroll offers Layer-2 Ethereum compatibility, enabling contracts written for the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) to harness the power of zero-knowledge proofs. This compatibility allows developers to enjoy a seamless transition while expanding their projects.
The launch of Scroll is a notable achievement for Ethereum’s scaling solutions, providing the ecosystem with a powerful tool to mitigate rising gas fees and improve transaction throughput.
In preparation for this momentous launch, the Scroll team focused on community building and fostering developer creativity. Over 100 projects have already deployed on Scroll testnets, covering a wide spectrum of applications, including infrastructure, DeFi, and Web3 gaming.
Scroll’s commitment to security was underscored by extensive testing across three different testnets. Additionally, four independent security firms audited Scroll’s codebase, ensuring a robust and secure foundation. Haichen Shen, co-founder of Scroll, emphasized their holistic approach to security, maintaining an internal security team and remaining open-source.
zkEVM Sets Scroll Apart
What sets Scroll apart from other Layer-2 protocols is its zkEVM, which provides a near-identical experience to Ethereum. Developers can easily migrate their existing Ethereum projects to Scroll without needing to make any significant codebase changes.
Sandy Peng, co-founder of Scroll, expressed their focus on enabling developers to create blockchain applications that serve real-world use cases, attracting a broader user base and advancing the adoption of web3 technologies.
Since the official launch announcement, Scroll has seen promising adoption, with 2,030 ETH deposited, the majority of which came within the last 24 hours. This demonstrates the community’s enthusiasm for the protocol.
A Crowded Layer-2 Landscape
Scroll enters a crowded Layer-2 ecosystem where Ethereum network fees have started to rise again. Dominated primarily by Arbitrum One and Optimism, which collectively account for 80% of the market share, Scroll faces competition in the rapidly evolving Layer-2 sector.
However, the protocol’s zkEVM technology, seamless project migration, and commitment to security set it on a promising path toward expanding Ethereum’s Layer-2 landscape and addressing scaling challenges. With the support of the community and its unique offerings, Scroll has the potential to leave a lasting mark in the world of blockchain scalability.