Why is Zircuit described as a maverick Layer 2?

As a relatively new Layer 2 chain, Zircuit is naturally suitable for the integration of AI elements such as AI model inference and AI Agents.

Written by Haotian

Why is @ZircuitL2 considered a unique layer2? 1) It is built on the OP Stack Codebase but does not belong to the OP superchain camp? 2) It belongs to the OP-Rollup chain but does not emphasize fraud proof, from its name to technical details, it is strongly marked with ZK? 3) Despite having no connection with the AVS secure Consensus Mechanism, it offers Airdrops to $Eigen stakers, etc. Next, let me explain my understanding of the Zircuit chain.

1. OP Stack obviously provides a fast basic technology framework for layer2, but many chains including Metis, Mantle, and Zircuit have used OP Stack’s Codebase technology framework without being incorporated into Superchain’s strategic roadmap.

The reason is simple. Although the super chain will enjoy the resource benefits of OP Super Alliance, it will also be limited in technical autonomy and flexibility, such as fraud proof. Many OP Stack camps have not fully launched the Fraud Proof certification system, and the correlation between their choice of framework dependencies and the neglect of autonomous development will be significant.

Zircuit is typical, although it is marked as OP-Rollup Type on L2beat, its overall technical architecture and brand tonality give people a strong impression of ZK perception, and many people will categorize it as part of the ZK-Rollup category.

The reason for preferring the ZK technology framework is mainly because the addition of ZK technology can make the OP-Rollup framework more reliable. After all, an OP-Rollup without a real Fraud Proof is difficult to be considered a secure and reliable chain. However, with the ZK Proof system, the trust environment for state changes built on ZK technology can well compensate for its shortcomings in optimistic challenge proof. Therefore, strictly speaking, it should be classified as a hybrid Rollup.

In fact, this type of hybrid Rollup architecture design is not new, as it is also a cutting-edge layer2 01928374656574839201.

@MetisL2

Also based on this, it differentiates itself by providing users with a fast withdrawal channel through ZK-Rollup Router, without waiting for the 7-day challenge period.

2）Recently, Vitalik praised the performance of Starknet in optimizing Blob Gas pricing mechanism and compressing Block state, which is actually another optimization direction after improving the operability of Cross-Chain Interaction in layer2: enhancing its own data structure and performance processing details.

Because the future upgrade path of the ETH mainnet will tend towards ZK-SNARKs lightweight, if the layer2 chain can be familiar with the underlying ZK technology, there will be enhanced performance in terms of data structure, state compression, message passing, etc., which will be closer to the future Rollup-Centric strategic direction.

So, as a rising star, Zircuit made many technical optimizations in the early stage of the chain release, such as:

1. Sequencer level security enhancement (SLS): Many layer2 chains are plagued by centralization and MEV issues in the Sequencer, resulting in the lack of stable development for decentralized finance applications like the protocol in the layer2 environment.

In view of this, Zircuit has innovatively designed a preventative security architecture for the Sequencer. When transactions are in the Mempool, malicious transaction monitoring is conducted, and malicious transactions are isolated with multiple release conditions to ensure smooth and secure execution of normal transactions. This method of adding a security pre-check in the Sequencer component can identify potential MEV behaviors and provide a fairer execution environment for Decentralized Finance applications.

2. Modular Proof System: The layer2 chain of ZK-Rollup paradigm has obvious advantages in Finality compared to the OP-Rollup chain, but at the same time, it will incur additional costs for computing, generating, and verifying Proofs. This cost is not within the scope of Mainnet through Blobs Blockdrop layer2 Gas, so ZK-Rollup layer2 needs to find a way to drop the cost of ZK Proofs.

In response, ZIrcuit has adopted two paths of Template Proofs and Proof Aggregation to optimize costs: Template proof is a transitional solution, using a simplified proof template to maintain the update verification of the base state without having to generate a complete proof for each batch to drop the cost; Proof aggregation will collect multiple unverified proof tasks to be parallelly generated through specific circuits and general circuits, and finally aggregate these proofs into a single proof for unified verification.

Obviously, this setting of specific proprietary circuits to adapt to different proof types of Proof systems can greatly reduce the cost of ZK proof generation and verification. This is similar to Starknet adopting the STARK system, zkSync adopting recursive systems, and so on, which can effectively reduce ZK overhead.

3. AI-Enabled layer2: As a relatively new layer2 chain, Zircuit is naturally suitable for integrating AI elements such as AI model inference and AI Agent. This is manifested in the AI model analysis of suspicious transactions and the AI automation isolation or temporary suspension of protocol in the SLS sorter, and so on.

Above.

As for why Zircuit is collaborating with @Eigenlayer for an airdrop, it’s hard to see from a purely technical perspective. I would rather understand it as a strategic support from Zircuit’s layer2 for the security of Eigenlayer’s ETH network AVS.

Taking a longer-term view, AVS, as a fast and secure Consensus infrastructure, may help Zircuit’s SSL system quickly integrate into other layer2 ecosystems at some point in time.