The Ethereum network with its incomparable functionality has become the power grid of the many applications based on the blockchain. However, it has suffered two big problems namely high fees and slow transactions in times of high demand. Linea Network is here to solve those problems - a second-layer (L2) network put together to ease those pains, while being in line with the core values of Ethereum.
Simply put, Linea is a "zk-rollup" fix at its core. What impact is this having? Not every transaction is pushing the main chain of Ethereum to its limits. Many transactions are conducted off-chain in an area, then a single cryptographic proof is sent back to Ethereum stating that they are valid. Linea can keep the prices low and the speed high with the help of Ethereum's security.
How Linea fixes the issues
1. Lowering transaction fees.
Since Linea does off-chain transaction batching and zk proof generation, users will pay a very small amount of gas fees in Ethereum mainnet compared to if they do the same transaction in the mainnet. What used to be an area of high transaction cost is now turned into an area of frequent and smaller transactions, which otherwise would not be possible due to gas fees.
2. Faster finality / quicker withdrawals.
Some L2 solutions rely on "fraud proof" models that can impose certain waiting periods before funds can be securely withdrawn (for example, many days). Linea's approach via zk-rollups makes it possible to prove the validity most directly and even faster, so the user doesn't have to wait so long to get hold of their funds.
3. Full compatibility with Ethereum tools.
One of the biggest barriers for developers has been the rewriting of smart contracts and re-engineering applications when moving to a new chain. Linea gives full EVM equivalence which means that a lot of Ethereum contracts, tools, and wallets (for instance, MetaMask) will continue to work with very little or no change. This makes the onboarding process more efficient.
4. Strengthening Ethereum's value.
One of the objectives of lining up is to match economically with Ethereum. For instance, some of the fees on Linea are paid in ETH and a certain part of it is burned, thus lessening the supply and maybe supporting the value of ETH holders. Consequently, this does not only create a positive feedback loop but also makes a win-win situation between Linea and Ethereum instead of pure competition.
What you might expect and how to operate with it
If you are a developer or a user, then a user like you can take advantage of Linea in the following ways:
Bridge assets like ETH from Ethereum mainnet to Linea. As soon as Virginia is bridged, you will be the one to enjoy the benefits of reduced gas fees and sped-up transactions.
If you are a developer and have an existing Ethereum-based smart contract or dApp, you can deploy to Linea without rewriting the base code because the EVM equivalence. Time and effort are saved.
Users and developers both benefit from network architecture that is built with security as a primary concern. What this means is that even though you are enjoying Layer 2 efficiency, you are still under the robust security of Ethereum.
Some things not to be missed out on
Although Linea is accomplishing a lot, decentralization is still on its roadmap. Some of the parts (sequencers, provers) are still in the process of being taken over by decentralized control.
As with any emerging technology, there might be some pitfalls in user experience, like the need to understand asset bridging, choosing networks in wallets, and being aware of compatibility issues.
While the fees are much lower than on Ethereum mainnet, one still has to be aware of transaction costs, making sure they are on the correct network (Linea vs another chain), and also using trusted bridges and wallets.
Final thoughts
Linea Network introduces a method that is both considerate and reasonable to address two of the major issues with the Ethereum network that have been persistent over time: the high cost and low speeds. By implementing zk-rollup technology, full Ethereum compatibility, and keeping the economics aligned with ETH, it opens up the space for more users and developers to the web3 ecosystem with less inconvenience and lower costs. A calm, down-to-earth alternative built on established foundations, is what Linea offers to anyone who has been in a bind due to high gas bills or slow confirmations.
@Linea.eth / #Linea / $LINEA
