Author: Haotian

Why is @ZircuitL2 said to be a unique layer2? 1) It is built based on OP Stack Codebase but does not belong to the OP super chain camp? 2) It belongs to the OP-Rollup chain but does not highlight the fraud proof. From the name to the technical details, it has a strong ZK mark? 3) Although it has nothing to do with the AVS security consensus mechanism, it gave airdrops to $Eigen stakers, etc. Next, let me briefly talk about my understanding of the Zircuit chain:

1) OP Stack obviously provides a basic technical framework for quickly starting layer2, but it includes Many chains, including Metis, Mantle, Zircuit, etc., have used OP Stack’s Codebase technology framework but have not incorporated it into Superchain’s strategic route.

The reason is simple. Although the super chain will enjoy the resource gains of the OP super alliance, it will also be limited in technical autonomy and flexibility, such as fraud proof. . Many layer 2 players in the OP Stack camp have not yet fully launched the Fraud Proof proof system, which is closely related to their choice of framework dependency and neglect of independent development.

Zircuit is a typical example. Although it is marked as OP-Rollup Type on L2beat, its overall technical structure and brand tone give people a strong ZK feel. Perceptual impression, many people will put it into the category of ZK-Rollup.

The reason why I prefer the ZK technology framework is mainly because the blessing of ZK technology can make the OP-Rollup framework more reliable. After all, there is no real Fraud Proof to prove the operation of OP- Rollup can hardly be called a safe and reliable chain, but with the ZK Proof proof system and the state change trust environment built on ZK technology, it can well make up for its shortcomings in optimistic challenge proof. Therefore, strictly speaking, it should be a hybrid rollup.

In fact, this type of hybrid Rollup architecture design is not new. @MetisL2, also a cutting-edge layer2, also focuses on differentiation based on this, through ZK-Rollup Router Provide users with a quick exit channel for withdrawals without having to wait for the 7-day challenge period.

2) Recently, Vitalik praised Starknet’s performance in optimizing the Blob Gas pricing mechanism and block state compression. This is actually another optimization direction for layer2 after it needs to enhance cross-chain interoperability: Enhance its own data structure and performance processing and other details.

Because the future upgrade route of the Ethereum mainnet will tend to be lightweight ZK-SNARKs, if the layer2 chain can be familiar with the underlying ZK technology and have enhanced performance in terms of data structure, state compression, message passing, etc., the closer it will be The future strategic direction of Rollup-Centric

So, as a rising star, Zircuit has made many detailed technical optimizations at the beginning of the chain, such as:

1. Sequencer level security Enhancement (SLS): Many layer2 chains have various problems such as Sequencer centralization and MEV, so that financial application protocols such as DeFi have not been able to develop stably in the layer2 environment.

In view of this, Zircuit has innovatively designed a preventive security architecture for Sequencer. Malicious transactions will be monitored when transactions are in Mempool. Malicious transactions will be applied with a layer of isolation zone including multiple release conditions to ensure Normal transactions are executed smoothly and safely; this method of adding a layer of security pre-checking to the Sequencer component can identify potential MEV behavior and provide a fairer execution environment for DeFi applications.

2. Modular Proof proof system: The layer 2 chain of the ZK-Rollup paradigm has obvious finality advantages compared to the OP-Rollup chain, but at the same time it will also incur additional expenses for calculation, generation, and verification of Proofs. This part of the cost is not on the main network. It is within the scope of reducing layer2 Gas through Blobs blocks, so ZK-Rollup layer2 must try to reduce ZK Proofs overhead.

In response to this, ZIrcuit adopts two paths: Template Proofs and Proof Aggregation to optimize costs: Template Proof is a transitional solution that uses simplified proof templates to maintain update verification of the basic state without having to verify each update. Batch generates complete proofs to reduce costs; Proof aggregation collects multiple unverified proof tasks to generate proofs in parallel through specific circuits and general circuits, and finally aggregates these proofs into a single proof for final unified verification.

Obviously, this Proof system that sets up specific proprietary circuits to adapt to different proof types can greatly reduce the cost of ZK proof generation and verification. This is similar to Starknet using the STARK system, zkSync using the recursive system, etc., which can better reduce ZK overhead.

3. AI-Enabled layer2: As a newer layer2 chain, Zircuit is naturally suitable for the integration of AI elements such as AI model reasoning and AI Agent. This is reflected in the AI ​​model in the SLS sequencer that analyzes suspicious transactions, AI automatically isolates or suspends protocols under special circumstances, etc.

Above.

As for why Zircuit teamed up with @Eigenlayer to issue airdrops, it’s hard to tell from a purely technical perspective. I would rather understand that this is Zircuit’s layer 2 for Eigenlayer to output ether A strategic support for AVS security.

Looking from a longer perspective, AVS, as a fast security consensus infrastructure, may help Zircuit's SSL system to be quickly integrated into other layer2 ecosystems at a certain point in time.