Motivation

The scalability of Ethereum has been one of the most discussed topics in the crypto community for several years now. During this time, several approaches have been proposed to solve this problem. Here are the most well-known ones: sharding, vertical scaling (more powerful nodes), sidechains, rollups. Readers can easily find dozens of links with detailed descriptions of each of these approaches, their pros and cons, which projects have attempted to implement which approach, the problems they encountered, and their current stage of development.

Recently, the approach related to the creation of L2 blockchains using rollups has gained significant interest. There are two types of rollups: ZK rollup and optimistic rollup. In a nutshell, rollup technology involves executing transactions in a faster and cheaper environment compared to the expensive L1 blockchain (Ethereum). However, transaction execution correctness is guaranteed either through mathematical means using zero-knowledge technology (in ZK rollup) or through validator voting if any suspicions arise regarding dishonest transaction execution (optimistic rollup).

Mainnet solutions for optimistic rollups have been around for quite some time already. The main issues with optimistic rollups are the redundancy of validators required to maintain the system’s operability and the challenge time - the period during which validators can dispute the data recorded on the blockchain. ZK rollups address the problems that arise in optimistic rollups but require extensive computational resources. Therefore, despite the significant development of ZK technology in 2023, it cannot yet be said that the scalability problem of Ethereum has been solved using ZK rollups even in theory. However, there is undoubtedly a definite development vector in this direction.

Thus, MultiVM offers a unique hybrid rollup solution aimed at achieving optimal scalability for the network in the future, while still providing a sufficient level of network scalability and a unique user/dev experience in the present.

What is the hybrid nature of this rollup solution?

1. Zero-knowledge technology is used to generate proofs of transaction execution correctness, similar to ZK rollup, but at the validator’s discretion.
2. Fraud ZK proofs are used to confirm fraudulent actions, similar to optimistic rollup.
3. Migration from the hybrid rollup model to a fully-fledged ZK rollup system.

What makes this solution’s UX / DevX unique?

1. The system’s security and compatibility fully comply with the Ethereum blockchain.
2. The execution layer of the system is implemented using an agnostic approach that is suitable for a wide range of existing dApps and developers.
3. A fully secure ZK bridge from Ethereum without third-party intermediaries.

You’re interested, aren’t you?