Polygon Labs, the esteemed engineering team behind the widely adopted Polygon PoS (Proof of Stake) chain, has recently unveiled a groundbreaking proposal for a major network upgrade.
This upgrade would revolutionize the Polygon ecosystem by introducing a “first-of-its-kind” decentralized Layer 2 (L2) solution secured by zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs.
The implementation of this upgrade is expected to significantly enhance the security, performance, and overall functionality of the Polygon 2.0 ecosystem.
This proposed upgrade represents a momentous milestone in the blockchain industry, as it would be the first instance of an existing chain, particularly one of this magnitude and significance, integrating ZK proofs to become an L2 solution.
By leveraging the zkEVM validium, a cost-effective and high-throughput sibling of a rollup, Polygon aims to augment the security and decentralization of its network while benefiting from the inherited strengths of Ethereum’s infrastructure.
As part of the upgrade, Polygon intends to migrate its existing PoS to a new PoS network that harnesses the power of zkEVM technology.
This upgraded PoS network, referred to as validium, will operate in parallel with Polygon’s existing zkEVM rollup network, offering users the advantages of both technologies based on their specific requirements.
The existing Polygon PoS validators will play two crucial roles in the upgraded ecosystem. Firstly, they will ensure data availability, marking a significant achievement as the first validium to offer decentralized and secure data availability guarantees.
Secondly, validators will be responsible for sequencing transactions and determining which ones should be included in a block and in what order, preserving decentralization and ensuring that transaction fees are directed to MATIC-staked validators. Consequently, Polygon PoS will be the pioneering L2 solution with a decentralized sequencer set.
The upgraded PoS network will bring forth remarkable scalability and cost-effectiveness, rendering it an ideal solution for applications with high transaction volumes and a need for low transaction fees.
This makes it particularly suitable for various use cases, including Web3 gaming, social applications, and micro Decentralized Finance (DeFi).
Meanwhile, the existing zkEVM rollup network will continue to provide a high level of security, catering to applications that process high-value transactions and prioritize robust security measures, such as high-value DeFi applications.
Polygon envisions a future where scalability and unified liquidity are intrinsic to every Polygon chain, all powered by ZK technology. However, it’s important to note that Polygon PoS, in its current state, relies on validators for security rather than ZK proofs.
Currently, the proposed upgrade is in the Pre-Polygon Improvement Proposal (PIP) stage, with the proposal already available for review and discussion on the governance forum.
Upon gathering significant support from the community, a formal PIP will be presented, initiating the necessary processes.
The proposal will be thoroughly examined and deliberated upon in PPG (Polygon Protocol Governance) Calls, governance forums, and other public venues to achieve consensus among all relevant participants in the ecosystem.
