Written by: Haotian
Why is @ZircuitL2 considered a unique layer2? 1) It is built on the OP Stack Codebase yet does not belong to the OP super chain camp? 2) It belongs to the OP-Rollup chain yet does not highlight fraud proofs, with a strong ZK imprint from name to technical details? 3) It is clearly unrelated to the AVS security consensus mechanism yet provided $Eigen stakers with airdrops, etc. Next, let me briefly share my understanding of the Zircuit chain:
1) The OP Stack clearly provides a fast foundational technical framework for launching layer2, but many chains, including Metis, Mantle, and Zircuit, have used the OP Stack Codebase technology framework without being integrated into the Superchain strategic route.
The reason is simple: although the super chain will enjoy the resource benefits of the OP super alliance, it will also be limited in technical autonomy and flexibility, such as fraud proofs. Many layer2 in the OP Stack camp have not fully launched their Fraud Proof systems, and there is a strong correlation between their choice of framework dependency and neglecting autonomous development.
Zircuit is a typical example; although marked as OP-Rollup Type on L2beat, its overall technical architecture and brand tone give a strong impression of ZK, and many people would categorize it under ZK-Rollup.
The preference for the ZK technology framework is mainly because the support of ZK technology can make the OP-Rollup framework more reliable. After all, without the real operation of Fraud Proofs, it is hard to call an OP-Rollup a secure and reliable chain. However, with the ZK Proof system, the trust environment for state changes built on ZK technology can effectively compensate for its shortcomings in optimistic challenge proofs. Therefore, strictly speaking, it should belong to the hybrid Rollup category.
In fact, the architectural design of this type of hybrid Rollup is not new, and it belongs to the emerging layer2.
@MetisL2
Based on this, it also focuses on differentiation, providing users with a fast withdrawal exit channel through the ZK-Rollup Router without needing to wait for a 7-day challenge period.
Recently, Vitalik praised Starknet's performance in optimizing Blob Gas pricing mechanisms and block state compression, which is actually another optimization direction that layer2 needs to enhance cross-chain interoperability: improving performance in details such as data structure and processing.
Because the future upgrade path of the Ethereum mainnet will tend toward lightweight ZK-SNARKs, if layer2 chains can proficiently apply the underlying ZK technology, enhancing performance in aspects such as data structure, state compression, and messaging, they will be closer to the future Rollup-Centric strategic direction.
Therefore, as a latecomer, Zircuit has made many technical optimizations in detail from the very beginning, such as:
1. Sequencer-level security enhancement (SLS): Many layer2 chains suffer from centralization of Sequencers, MEV, and other issues, leading to the unstable development of financial application protocols like DeFi in the layer2 environment.
In light of this, Zircuit has innovatively designed a preventive security architecture for the Sequencer. When transactions are in the Mempool, malicious transaction monitoring will occur, and malicious transactions will be subjected to a layer of isolation with multiple release conditions to ensure normal transactions are executed safely. This method of adding a layer of security pre-checks in the Sequencer component can identify potential MEV behaviors, providing a fairer execution environment for DeFi applications.
2. Modular Proof system: Compared to OP-Rollup chains, ZK-Rollup paradigm layer2 chains have a significant finality advantage, but at the same time, they also incur additional costs for computing, generating, and verifying proofs. This cost is not included in the mainnet's reduction of layer2 gas through Blobs blocks, so ZK-Rollup layer2 needs to find ways to reduce ZK proofs costs.
To this end, ZIrcuit has adopted Template Proofs and Proof Aggregation as two paths to optimize costs: template proofs are a transitional solution that uses simplified proof templates to maintain the verification of basic state updates without generating complete proofs for each Batch to reduce costs; proof aggregation collects multiple unverified proof tasks and generates proofs in parallel through specific circuits and general circuits, ultimately aggregating these proofs into a single proof for unified verification.
Clearly, this setting of specific proprietary circuits to adapt to different proof types in the Proof system can significantly reduce the cost of ZK proof generation and verification. This is similar to Starknet adopting the STARK system and zkSync adopting the recursive system, which can effectively reduce ZK overhead.
3. AI-Enabled layer2: As a newer layer2 chain, Zircuit is naturally suitable for integrating AI elements such as AI model inference and AI Agents. This is reflected in the SLS sequencer where AI models analyze suspicious transactions, and special situations are automatically isolated or protocols paused.
The above.
As for why Zircuit wants to partner with @Eigenlayer for airdrops, it is hard to see from a purely technical perspective. I prefer to understand it as Zircuit's strategic support for Eigenlayer's output of Ethereum AVS security.
From a broader perspective, AVS, as a fast and secure consensus infrastructure, may help Zircuit's SSL system quickly integrate into other layer2 ecosystems at some point.
