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Key points
Scroll is a scalability solution that processes transactions outside of the main Ethereum blockchain, reducing congestion and making the network faster for users, even during high-traffic periods.
With its zk-rollup technology, Scroll is able to reduce Ethereum gas fees, making DApps and DeFi services more accessible to users.
Scroll integrates seamlessly with Ethereum, allowing developers to use their existing tools and smart contracts without having to rewrite their code.
Introduction
If you’ve used Ethereum before, you’ve probably noticed that it gets slower and more expensive during periods of high demand. As more people join Ethereum to use decentralized applications (DApps), the network is more likely to become congested, resulting in higher fees and slower transaction speeds. That’s where Scroll comes in.
Scroll is a project created to make Ethereum faster, cheaper, and more efficient, all without sacrificing the security and decentralization that make it special. Let's take a closer look at what Scroll is and its scalability solutions.
What is Scroll (SCR)?
Scroll is a Layer-2 scaling solution designed specifically for Ethereum. In simple terms, it is a technology that runs on top of the Ethereum mainnet (Layer-1) to make things run more smoothly and efficiently. One of the key components of Scroll is a cryptographic technique called zero-knowledge rollups (zk-rollups), which is a revolutionary technology that speeds up transactions without compromising security.
With Scroll, transactions are processed off the main Ethereum blockchain, which helps avoid congestion. Important data is then sent back to Ethereum Layer-1 to ensure everything is correct. This means you can still use all the DApps and tools on Ethereum, but without paying high fees or waiting long for confirmations.
Why does Ethereum need Scroll?
We can think of Ethereum as a busy highway. When too many people try to use it at the same time, traffic slows down and the cost of using it (gas fees) goes up. As we all know, no one likes paying high fees, especially when you’re just trying to send crypto to a friend or use a DApp.
Ethereum developers are working on solutions to fix this, but the network’s focus on security and decentralization makes scalability a challenge. This is where Layer-2 solutions like Scroll come in — they help reduce the load on the Ethereum mainnet without compromising security and decentralization.
How does Scroll work?
The basics of rollups
As we’ve learned, rollups are a clever way to process multiple transactions off-chain and then send a summary of those transactions back to Layer-1 for approval. We can think of it as sending a group message to save time, rather than sending individual messages to each person.
There are two types of rollups: optimistic rollups and zero-knowledge rollups (zk-rollups). Scroll uses zk-rollups, which offer extra security. These rollups use zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP) to ensure that off-chain transactions are processed correctly. This way, Ethereum doesn't need to verify everything, making the entire process much faster and cheaper.
Scroll's three-layer architecture
Scroll's system has three main parts:
Settlement Layer: This is Ethereum itself. Scroll uses Ethereum's Layer-1 for things like data availability and checking zk-rollup proofs. Essentially, Ethereum acts as the final judge, confirming the legitimacy of the entire process.
Sequencing layer: Here, Scroll processes and organizes transactions. This layer groups transactions into batches and sends the information back to Ethereum, where it is stored and verified.
Proof layer: This is where the magic of zk-rollups happens. Several computers (called provers) work together to generate zero-knowledge proofs that prove that transactions were processed correctly. This layer ensures that everything is secure and ready for Ethereum to approve.
Zero-Knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine (zkEVM)
One of the most interesting components of Scroll is the zkEVM (short for zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine). It sounds complicated, but it basically means that Scroll can perform Ethereum-like transactions using zk-rollups, without changing how Ethereum works. Developers don’t need to rewrite their code or create new tools to use Scroll, which is a huge advantage.
zkEVM allows Scroll to remain 100% compatible with Ethereum, making it easier for developers to use and migrate their DApps to this faster and more efficient system.
How transactions work at Scroll
Transactions on Scroll go through a few important stages to ensure everything runs smoothly:
Confirmed transaction: First, a user submits a transaction to Ethereum mainnet (Layer-1) or directly to Scroll (Layer-2). Once the transaction is executed and added to a block, it is considered confirmed.
Committed Transaction: Confirmed transactions are then grouped into a batch. This batch is sent to the Ethereum mainnet, which ensures that the data is recorded correctly.
Transaction finalized: Finally, Scroll creates a proof of validity (thanks to the zero-knowledge rollups we mentioned earlier) and sends it to Ethereum. Once Ethereum verifies this proof, the transaction is finalized. That’s it! Your transaction is now part of the official Ethereum blockchain, without causing any slowdowns.
Advantages of Scroll
1. Better scalability
By processing transactions off-chain, Scroll dramatically increases the number of transactions that Ethereum can process. This makes the network much faster, which is especially important as more people start using decentralized applications (DApps) on Ethereum.
2. Lower transaction fees
Scroll is great news for your crypto wallet. Since you can batch transactions and use zk-rollups, the cost of using Ethereum decreases. This makes using DApps and transferring crypto more accessible.
3. Security remains strong
Although transactions are processed off-chain, Scroll uses advanced zk-rollups to ensure that everything is secure and trustless. There’s no need to worry about the security of your transactions — Scroll is designed to keep them as secure as if they were processed directly on Ethereum.
4. Ethereum compatible
Scroll doesn’t require developers to change the way they build their DApps. Its zkEVM ensures full compatibility with the current Ethereum infrastructure, allowing developers to get started with Scroll without having to learn a completely new system.
Token SCR
SCR tokens are designed to be an essential part of the Scroll ecosystem. Here are some of the main use cases for the SCR token:
Governance: If you hold SCR tokens, you can have a say and participate in the evolution of Scroll. SCR holders can vote on key decisions, from protocol upgrades to how the network operates.
Network Support: Scroll relies on two important groups: Provers and Sequencers. They ensure that everything works behind the scenes by verifying transactions and organizing them into blocks. SCR tokens are used to reward them for their efforts, which helps maintain the decentralization and security of the network.
Staking: Users and validators can stake SCR tokens to help secure the network and earn rewards. This is an important incentive to keep the Scroll network safe and functional.
Final considerations
Scroll (SCR) is an innovative Layer-2 scalability solution that addresses Ethereum's scalability challenges using zero-knowledge rollups. By improving transaction throughput, reducing costs, and maintaining compatibility with the Ethereum ecosystem, Scroll makes it easier and cheaper for users and developers to interact with the Ethereum blockchain.
As Ethereum continues to grow, projects like Scroll will be essential in ensuring the network can meet the growing demand for decentralized applications and services.
Further reading
What is zero-knowledge proof and how does it affect blockchain technology?
Optimistic vs. optimistic rollups Zero-Knowledge Rollups: what are the differences?
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