Why is @ZircuitL2 considered an unconventional 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 highlight fraud proof, with a strong ZK imprint from the name to technical details? 3) It has no apparent connection with the AVS security consensus mechanism yet has given $Eigen stakers an airdrop, etc. Next, let me briefly share my understanding of the Zircuit chain:
1) The OP Stack obviously provides a foundational technical framework for quickly launching layer2, but many chains, including Metis, Mantle, Zircuit, etc., have used the OP Stack codebase technology framework without being incorporated into the Superchain strategic route.
The reason is simple: although the superchain enjoys resource gains from the OP super alliance, it will also be limited in technical autonomy and flexibility, such as fraud proof. Many layer2 chains in the OP Stack camp have still not fully launched a Fraud Proof system, which is closely related to their choice of framework dependency while 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 ZK perception, leading many to 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, an OP-Rollup without a real Fraud Proof to prove its operation is hard to be called a safe and reliable chain. However, with the ZK Proof system, the trust environment for state changes built on ZK technology can effectively compensate for its defects in optimistic challenge proofs. Therefore, strictly speaking, it should belong to a hybrid Rollup.
In fact, this kind of hybrid Rollup architectural design is not new; @MetisL2, another emerging layer2, also focuses on differentiation based on this, providing users with a fast withdrawal channel through the ZK-Rollup Router, without having to wait for a 7-day challenge period.
2) Recently, Vitalik praised Starknet's performance in optimizing the Blob Gas pricing mechanism and block state compression. This is actually another optimization direction that layer2 needs to enhance cross-chain interoperability: improving performance in data structure and processing details.
Because the future upgrade path of the Ethereum mainnet will lean towards the lightweight ZK-SNARKs, if layer2 chains can proficiently apply the underlying ZK technology, enhancing performance in aspects such as data structure, state compression, and message passing, they will be closer to the future Rollup-Centric grand strategic direction.
As a new player, Zircuit made many technical optimizations in detail from the very beginning of its launch, such as:
1. Enhanced Sequencer-level Security (SLS): Many layer2 chains suffer from issues like Sequencer centralization and MEV, preventing DeFi financial application protocols from developing stably in the layer2 environment.
In light of this, Zircuit has innovatively designed a preventive security architecture for the Sequencer. While transactions are in the Mempool, malicious transaction monitoring will take place, with malicious transactions being subjected to a layer of isolation conditions that include multiple release conditions, ensuring that normal transactions are executed smoothly and safely. This method of adding a layer of security pre-checks in the Sequencer component can identify potential MEV behavior, providing a fairer execution environment for DeFi applications.
2. Modular Proof System: Layer2 chains following the ZK-Rollup paradigm have a clear finality advantage over OP-Rollup chains, but at the same time, they incur additional costs for computing, generating, and verifying proofs. This part of the cost does not fall within the scope of reducing layer2 gas through Blobs blocks on the mainnet, so ZK-Rollup layer2 needs to find ways to lower ZK proof costs.
To address this, Zircuit has adopted two paths for optimizing costs: Template Proofs and Proof Aggregation. Template proof is a transitional solution that uses simplified proof templates to maintain the verification of basic state updates, avoiding the need to generate complete proofs for each batch to reduce costs; proof aggregation collects multiple unverified proof tasks and generates proofs in parallel through specific circuits and universal circuits, ultimately aggregating these proofs into a single proof for unified verification.
Clearly, such a setup of specific proprietary circuits to adapt to different proof types in the Proof system can effectively lower the costs of ZK proof generation and verification. This is similar to how Starknet employs the STARK system and zkSync uses the recursive system, among others, which can well reduce ZK overhead.
3. AI-Enabled layer2: As a newer layer2 chain, Zircuit is naturally suitable for the integration of AI elements such as AI model inference and AI Agent. This is reflected in the AI model analysis of suspicious transactions in the SLS sequencer, automated isolation or suspension of protocols in special situations, etc.
Above.
As for why Zircuit is partnering with @Eigenlayer for an airdrop, it's hard to see anything purely from a technical perspective. I prefer to understand it as a strategic support from this layer2, Zircuit, to Eigenlayer for the security of Ethereum AVS.
From a broader perspective, AVS, as a rapid security consensus infrastructure, may help Zircuit's SSL system quickly integrate into other layer2 ecosystems at some point.
