The temperature in Ethereum’s layer-2 sphere is rising, and it just got hotter with ConsenSys’s latest entry. A seasoned operator in the domain, ConsenSys, the powerhouse behind MetaMask, has just unveiled its layer-2 network, Linea, to the Ethereum main blockchain. Its immediate next steps involve bringing its partners on board.
The Innovation Behind Linea
Linea isn’t just any layer-2 network. It is a state-of-the-art zkEVM rollup network that employs zero-knowledge proofs to operate on par with an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).
ConsenSys has joined the rising wave of zkEVM technology with this latest development. A proven success in its testnet phase, Linea saw over 5.5 million unique wallets handle more than 46 million transactions. As reported by the company, Linea has carved a niche for itself in Goerli, emerging as one of its fastest-growing and sizeable projects.
Linea’s Journey to the Mainnet
Linea is all set to hit the mainnet at ETHCC, but before that, it’s beginning to onboard its launch partners.
“Linea harnesses the potency of zero-knowledge proofs and provides complete equivalence to Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This feature empowers developers to construct scalable decentralized applications (dapps) or transition existing ones without having to rewrite smart contracts or change code,” stated ConsenSys.
As per ConsenSys’s declaration, the Alpha release of Linea ensures swifter throughput and slashes transaction costs by up to 15x compared to Ethereum layer-1. The company also announced that this release would offer deeper integrations with MetaMask, its flagship crypto wallet.
Available to Users Soon
Next week, Linea will be accessible to users once its partners have had the chance to integrate their dApps and infrastructure. ConsenSys has confirmed that Ether will be the network’s native currency, directly bridged from the Ethereum Mainnet. It also allowed users to be wary of deceptive advertisements about an ongoing or imminent Linea token sale or drop.
The Evolution of zkEVMs – From zkSync Era to Polygon’s zkEVM
A zkEVM is an EMV-compatible rollup secured by zero-knowledge proofs. The amalgamation of ZKPs with EVM compatibility grants zkEVMs the security and privacy features of zk-Rollups. Concurrently, it bolsters Ethereum interoperability by maintaining EVM compatibility. This system enables zkEVMs to interoperate seamlessly with Ethereum’s smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps).
The inaugural zkEVM to go live was ‘zkSync Era,’ a solution by zkSync that garnered significant attention upon its launch in March. Shortly after, Polygon unveiled its zkEVM product’s final mainnet, followed by subsequent refinements a month later.
With Linea, ConsenSys continues the innovative legacy of zkEVM solutions, promising a robust and scalable future for Ethereum’s layer-2 ecosystem.