Why is Zircuit considered a unique Layer 2?

Author: 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 is an OP-Rollup chain yet does not emphasize fraud proofs, bearing a strong ZK imprint in both name and technical details? 3) It has no apparent connection to the AVS security consensus mechanism yet airdropped to $Eigen stakers, etc. Next, I will briefly share my understanding of the Zircuit chain:

1) The OP Stack clearly provides a rapid foundational technology framework for launching layer2, but many chains, including Metis, Mantle, and Zircuit, have utilized the OP Stack Codebase technology framework without integrating into the Superchain strategic route.

The reason is simple: while the Superchain enjoys resource benefits from the OP Super Alliance, it also faces limitations in technical autonomy and flexibility, such as fraud proofs. Many layer2s in the OP Stack camp have yet to fully launch their Fraud Proof systems, which is closely related to their choice of framework dependency over 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 within the ZK-Rollup realm.

The preference for ZK technology frameworks mainly stems from the fact that ZK technology can enhance the reliability of the OP-Rollup framework. After all, an OP-Rollup without a functioning Fraud Proof is hard to deem a secure and reliable chain. However, with a ZK Proof system, the trust environment for state changes built on ZK technology can effectively compensate for its shortcomings in optimistic challenge proofs. Therefore, strictly speaking, it should be classified as a hybrid Rollup.

In fact, the architectural design of such hybrid Rollups is not new; another emerging layer2,

@MetisL2

, also focuses on differentiation by providing users with a fast withdrawal channel through a ZK-Rollup Router, eliminating the need to wait for a 7-day challenge period.

2) Recently, Vitalik praised Starknet for its 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 its data structure and performance handling details.

As Ethereum's mainnet future upgrades will trend towards lightweight ZK-SNARKs, if layer2 chains can proficiently apply ZK technology at the foundational level, enhancing aspects such as data structure, state compression, and message passing, they will align more closely with the future Rollup-Centric grand strategy.

Thus, as a rising star, Zircuit has made numerous technical optimizations in detail since its launch, such as:

1. Sequencer Level Security Enhancement (SLS): Many layer2 chains face issues like Sequencer centralization and MEV, which have hindered the stable development of financial applications like DeFi in the layer2 environment.

In light of this, Zircuit has innovatively designed a preventive security architecture for the Sequencer. When transactions are in the Mempool, malicious transaction monitoring occurs, and malicious transactions are subjected to a layer of isolation with multiple release conditions to ensure the smooth and secure execution of normal transactions. This method of adding a layer of security pre-checks within the Sequencer component can identify potential MEV behaviors, providing a fairer execution environment for DeFi applications.

2. Modular Proof System: Compared to OP-Rollup chains, ZK-Rollup paradigm layer2 chains have a clear finality advantage, but they also incur additional costs for computing, generating, and verifying proofs. This cost is not reduced by the mainnet through Blobs blocks, so ZK-Rollup layer2 must find ways to lower ZK Proof expenses.

To address this, Zircuit employs two paths for cost optimization: Template Proofs and Proof Aggregation. Template proofs are a transitional solution that uses simplified proof templates to maintain the verification of basic state updates without generating complete proofs for each batch to reduce costs. Proof aggregation collects multiple unverified proof tasks and generates proofs in parallel through specific circuits and general circuits, ultimately aggregating these proofs into a single proof for unified verification.

Clearly, this setup of specific proprietary circuits to adapt to different proof types can significantly reduce the costs of ZK proof generation and verification. This is similar to Starknet's use of the STARK system and zkSync's recursive system, which can effectively lower ZK expenses.

3. AI-Enabled layer2: As a newer layer2 chain, Zircuit is naturally suited for the integration of AI model inference, AI Agents, and other AI elements. This is reflected in the AI model analysis of suspicious transactions and automated isolation or suspension of protocols in special cases within the SLS sequencer.

That's all.

As for why Zircuit is collaborating with @Eigenlayer for an airdrop, it is difficult to discern from a purely technical perspective. I prefer to understand it as Zircuit's strategic support for Eigenlayer's output of Ethereum AVS security.

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.