Polygon has rolled out a major update on its AggLayer Mainnet that may reshape how chains interact: the introduction of Pessimistic Proofs.
What Are Pessimistic Proofs?
They are a mechanism designed to mitigate risk in cross-chain interactions by assuming the worst — that any chain might misbehave. Instead of requiring full trust or relying on optimistic assumptions, the system demands a deposit from each participating chain. The rule is simple: you can’t withdraw more than you put in.
This shifts the burden of proof and risk management in a new direction — reducing dependencies and attack vectors commonly exploited in bridges.
Why It Matters
Cross-chain activity has often been bottlenecked by fragmented security. Some chains are robust, others aren’t. Pessimistic Proofs allow them to work together without importing each other’s weaknesses.
This could lead to:
Better coordination between rollups, validiums, and L1s.
Trust-minimized bridging without formal proofs.
A multichain future where dApps operate seamlessly across domains.
The update is now live and is a crucial piece of Polygon’s broader vision to unify Web3 under a neutral, scalable coordination layer.
Dive Deeper
Full announcement here:
https://polygon.technology/blog/major-development-upgrade-for-a-multistack-future-pessimistic-proofs-live-on-agglayer-mainnet
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