Article source: On-chain observation
There has been quite a bit of discussion around @SonicSVM these days, especially with topics like airdrops aimed at TikTok users, Solana's 'super' game chain, and Solana L2 all gaining attention. So, how should we understand this new 'layer2' in the Solana ecosystem?
1) Labeling @solana as 'layer2' is actually inappropriate, as it inevitably evokes a sense of burden associated with the Ethereum layer2 ecosystem, leading one to naturally question why the high-performance Solana would need layer2. The reason is straightforward: Sonic SVM is, to be precise, a scaling solution specifically aimed at games and applications.
Even being defined as layer2, the distinction between Specific layer2 and the traditional Universal generic layer2 is significant. The existence of such scaling solutions is primarily to address the particular needs of high-frequency interactions and rapid response applications, avoiding lag and delays that may arise when the Solana main chain processes a large volume of high-frequency transactions (e.g., exceeding 4,000 TPS load), which can negatively impact user experience.
Therefore, I prefer to define Sonic SVM as a specific scaling solution tailored for high-frequency applications like games.
2) This means that Sonic SVM can provide customized functions and performance based on the specific needs of games and applications, such as setting up special data structures, caching mechanisms, and parallel processing schemes for gaming application scenarios. In addition, Sonic SVM can also customize its own governance mechanism and economic model, allowing for independent decision-making and resource allocation from the main chain, among other things.
Although the main chain TPS of Solana is actually around 2,500-4000 transactions per second, the current saturation of various MEME and PumpFun tokens has led to a noticeable failure rate in user transactions. This is intolerable in some gaming scenarios that require high-frequency interactions, as any failure can significantly diminish the user experience.
Thus, this attempt at a scaling solution specifically targeting high-experience requirements for games and specific application fields can expand the financial application scenarios of the Solana ecosystem, broaden its reach to more diverse applications, and attract more developers and users to join the Solana ecosystem.
Coincidentally, the previously discussed @EclipseFND modular expansion solution, which uses SVM as an execution layer to provide scaling capabilities based on the Ethereum ecosystem, is also being widely discussed. Recently, the SOON project, with its RaaS commercialization perspective, attempts to build an OP Stack for Solana to achieve in-depth expansion. Sonic SVM is undoubtedly one of the core scalable solution routes in this context.
Various signs indicate that the Solana ecosystem is building its own 'Rollup-Centric' ecosystem, making a new push towards its ultimate goal of flipping ETH.
3) However, merely positioning Sonic SVM as a selectable scaling solution for Solana is not enough. Recent events, such as Sonic's airdrop to TikTok users, clearly indicate that Sonic SVM has greater ambitions beyond Solana: targeting TON, aiming to become the app layer for TikTok's expansion onto the blockchain.
As we all know, @ton_blockchain, relying on the vast user base of the Telegram social platform, has become a distinct 'application chain' framework. Its seamless compatibility with on-chain wallets, DApps, and DeFi-like 'mini-program' application scenarios places it at the forefront of implementing a new generation of blockchain architecture and driving mass adoption.
The deep binding of Sonic SVM to TikTok also aims at this goal. After all, TikTok encompasses a larger demographic of Generation Z, possesses greater commercial value, and can construct a 'touch-chain' environment based on TikTok, leading to more promising commercial prospects for future applications. This is much more appealing than simply being positioned as a Solana layer2.
