- Astar Network collaborates with Polygon Labs to unveil the Ethereum Layer 2 solution, Astar zkEVM.
- This partnership will invigorate blockchain utilization in sectors like entertainment and gaming within Japan.
Bridging the Technological Gap with Astar zkEVM
Astar Network, which stands at the crossroads of Ethereum, Polkadot, and Cosmos ecosystems as a Layer 1 smart contract platform, is now joining forces with Ethereum scaling pioneers, Polygon Labs. Their joint venture? The launch of a Layer 2 solution named Astar zkEVM.
.@AstarNetwork, Japan’s leading blockchain, is launching a ZK powered L2 chain on Ethereum using Polygon CDK. The ZK-powered chain will enable businesses to implement web3 strategies with increased speed, scalability, and security in Japan and beyond. https://t.co/33V8L9ZYM0
— Polygon (Labs) (@0xPolygonLabs) September 13, 2023
In-Depth: Understanding the Mechanism
At the heart of this endeavor is the Polygon CDK (Chain Development Kit). This open-source repository aids in the construction of zero-knowledge-powered Layer 2 chains for Ethereum, a feature that Astar Network will employ for the Astar zkEVM. Their alliance underscores the broader aim of strengthening Asia, notably Japan, as a nexus for blockchain-based trustless applications and web3 adoption.
Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of Polygon, emphasized the pivotal role Asia plays in web3 adoption, stating,
“The demand for transparent and trustless blockchain applications in Japan is paramount.”
A sentiment echoed by Astar Network founder, Sota Watanabe, who envisions Japan as the fulcrum of the web3 movement, asserting that this collaboration will galvanize businesses to jumpstart their blockchain journeys.
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Polygon Labs is no stranger to partnerships of this kind. Their expertise has previously been leveraged for the development of individual zkEVM chains, as seen with Immutable, IDEX, and Palm Network.
The Technical Underpinnings
The Astar zkEVM operates on the foundation of Layer 2 blockchains, which, when crafted using the CDK, can connect to a common ZK bridge, ensuring seamless interoperability. The significance of zkEVM lies in its ability to offer an Ethereum-compatible scalability solution for applications. This compatibility ensures that existing Ethereum code can be employed, simplifying integration for developers.
ZK-rollups, a technological advancement central to this initiative, manage off-chain computations on Layer 2, which facilitates more efficient, cost-effective transactions while preserving the intrinsic security of Ethereum. With an emphasis on high-throughput scenarios, Astar’s objective remains clear – bolster blockchain assimilation in Japan by drawing global entertainment and gaming projects.
Japan’s Foresight into web3
Japan’s proactive stance towards web3 technology is evident in statements by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who acknowledged web3’s transformative potential. Backed by industry behemoths like Coinbase Ventures and Binance Labs, Astar Network envisions a collaborative role, working alongside the Japanese Government, fostering web3 and facilitating real-world blockchain use cases.
Reinforcing their commitment, Astar previously partnered with tech titan Sony on a web3 incubation program. This initiative witnessed 19 projects, cherry-picked from over 200 contenders, being greenlit for launch on Astar’s platform.
In conclusion, as Ethereum scaling remains a focal point, projects like Polygon, Starknet, ZkSync, and Scroll are in the vanguard, striving to produce a robust ZK-based Layer 2 solution.
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