Ethereum is the most well-liked blockchain for Web3 growth, and the community has been rising quickly over the previous few years as extra folks enter the Web3 area. This notable surge in adoption is undoubtedly optimistic; nonetheless, it has additionally highlighted the scalability problems with Ethereum. With rising community demand, there was a major lower in processing speeds, accompanied by substantial surges in fuel costs, making it dearer to work together with Ethereum. So, how are Web3 builders coping with these points? Happily, that is the place ETH layer-2 options enter the equation. However what precisely are they? And which Ethereum layer-2 platform must you use? For the solutions to those questions, be part of us on this information as we discover the intricacies of L2 networks!
Overview
We’ll kickstart at this time’s article by diving straight into the ins and outs of ETH layer-2 options. In doing so, we’ll clarify what these networks are and the way they assist resolve the scalability problems with Ethereum. From there, we’re additionally briefly going to cowl layer-1s to present you a greater understanding of how these varied community layers are linked. Subsequent, we’ll current a listing of 5 main ETH layer-2 options, the place we cowl the next networks:
ArbitrumBaseImmutableXOptimismPolygon zkEVM
Lastly, for these keen on constructing dapps on these networks, we’ll introduce you to Moralis – the final word Web3 API supplier!
In Moralis’ suite of industry-leading and cross-chain suitable Web3 APIs, you’ll discover a bunch of interfaces for varied use circumstances. As such, it doesn’t matter if you wish to create NFT dapps, have interaction in cryptocurrency trade growth, or construct every other platform; Moralis has acquired you lined.
So, when you have ambitions to construct your first dapp, don’t neglect to enroll with Moralis. You may arrange your account without spending a dime, and also you’ll get on the spot entry to all our premier interfaces!
Nonetheless, with out additional ado, let’s dive straight into the intricacies of ETH layer-2 options!
What’s ETH Layer-2?
Ethereum is the largest blockchain for dapp growth, and the community hosts a variety of decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, video games, and different Web3 tasks. Nevertheless, as adoption will increase and new customers pour into Web3, Ethereum struggles with scalability, leading to excessive transaction charges and gradual processing occasions.
So, how are Web3 builders coping with these points?
Effectively, that is the place ETH layer-2 options enter the equation!
”ETH layer-2” is a collective time period describing a set of scaling options for the Ethereum community. These options principally function as impartial blockchains that reach Ethereum, enhancing the general scalability capabilities of the community by providing larger throughput and considerably decrease transaction charges. What’s extra, they’ll achieve this whereas concurrently leveraging the safety ensures of the unique chain!
However how does this work?
Put merely, ETH layer-2 scaling options can deal with Ethereum’s points by processing transactions off the primary chain, solely interacting with the community when mandatory. This strategy reduces the load placed on Ethereum’s mainnet, resulting in a lot quicker transaction speeds, considerably decrease charges, and different benefits.
All in all, ETH layer-2 options prolong Ethereum to enhance the scalability capabilities of the community, making it extra accessible to all!
Advantages of ETH Layer-2 Options
Now, with an summary of what ETH layer-2 options are, let’s briefly break down the primary advantages of those networks:
Greater Throughput: One of many major functions of ETH layer-2 scaling options is to extend throughput. Whereas the Ethereum mainnet is ready to course of about 15 transactions per second, some scaling options can deal with hundreds and hundreds of transactions inside the similar timeframe. Decrease Charges: By combining a number of off-chain operations right into a single layer-1 transaction, ETH layer-2 scaling options can massively scale back charges, making Ethereum extra accessible to the lots. Excessive Safety: Whereas ETH layer-2 scaling options course of operations off the bottom chain, they nonetheless settle transactions on Ethereum, permitting customers to learn from the community’s safety.
Nonetheless, to get a deeper understanding of layer-2 options, let’s additionally briefly evaluate these networks to layer-1s!
What are Layer-1s?
The time period ”layer-1 blockchain” refers back to the base structure of a decentralized community, and two outstanding examples embody Bitcoin and Ethereum. These networks usually function totally independently from different chains and have their very own consensus mechanism, knowledge availability layer, and many others. What’s extra, the structure of those networks permits them to host different chains on high of them, that are the layer-2 blockchains.
Layer-2 blockchains discuss with community protocols layered on high of the layer-1s. These blockchains depend on the safety infrastructure of the unique community however are extra versatile of their skill to scale transaction processing and throughput. Some examples embody Polygon, Base, Optimism, and many others.
All in all, layer-1 and layer-2 blockchains are interconnected, the place the first function of layer-2 options is to extend the scalability capabilities of the bottom community!
Nonetheless, now that you’ve got a quick understanding of how the completely different networks work, let’s take the next part to discover the very best ETH layer-2 options!
Greatest ETH Layer-2 Options
There are a number of outstanding ETH layer-2 options that enhance the capabilities of Ethereum utilizing varied applied sciences, and we gained’t be capable to cowl all of them on this article. Consequently, now we have compiled a listing of 5 examples we’ll dive a bit deeper into within the following subsections:
ArbitrumBaseImmutableXOptimismPolygon zkEVM
In the event you’d wish to discover different outstanding different networks we don’t cowl on this article, please try our full checklist of high layer-2 blockchains on Moralis’ dapp retailer: Web3 Wiki!
In any other case, be part of us under as we dive into the ins and outs of Arbitrum!
Arbitrum
The Arbitrum mainnet launched in 2021, and it’s a outstanding ETH layer-2 scaling resolution that improves the capabilities of Ethereum good contracts, considerably boosting pace and scalability!
So, how does Arbitrum work?
The Arbitrum community makes use of a way often called optimistic rollups. In doing so, the community executes transactions off-chain earlier than bundling them into giant batches, that are submitted to the Ethereum mainnet as calldata.
The advantage of this system is that the Ethereum community not must validate separate transactions and may as a substitute verify a ”rolled up” batch of transactions. In return, this drastically reduces fuel charges and optimizes block area, as solely mandatory data is required to be saved on Ethereum.
Base
Base launched in 2023, and it’s Coinbase’s ETH layer-2 blockchain. One of many most important strengths of Base is the truth that the community is absolutely EVM-equivalent. Which means that the community provides a secure, low-cost, and developer-friendly platform for constructing dapps and different Web3 tasks!
Like Arbitrum, Base additionally leverages optimistic rollups to supply decrease fuel charges and quicker transactions. As such, Base primarily bundles transactions collectively and submits them in bulk to the Ethereum chain for settlement.
Moreover, since Coinbase is incubating the challenge, it’s attainable to leverage already current options and merchandise from the ecosystem when constructing dapps on the community. Some outstanding examples embody fiat on-ramps, highly effective person acquisition instruments, and extra!
ImmutableX
Like Arbitrum, ImmutableX additionally launched in 2021; nonetheless, it’s an ETH layer-2 scaling resolution specifically designed for non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Consequently, by leveraging ImmutableX, you’ll be able to profit from quick transactions and low fuel charges when minting and buying and selling NFTs!
However how is ImmutableX capable of supply these advantages?
ImmutableX leverages a way referred to as zero-knowledge rollups (zk-rollups). In doing so, the community accumulates tons of of transactions right into a single zero-knowledge proof. After batching the transactions, the proof is shipped to the blockchain community and verified by a wise contract. This reduces the computing and storage assets required for validating blocks, which is how ImmutableX can facilitate as much as 9,000 transactions per second.
Optimism
Optimism is one other outstanding ETH layer-2 resolution that launched in 2021. Furthermore, very similar to the opposite networks featured on this checklist, Optimism additionally improves the scalability of Ethereum by facilitating quicker transactions and decrease fuel charges!
So, how does Optimism work?
Like Arbitrum and Base, Optimism additionally leverages optimistic rollup expertise. In doing so, the community bundles the information of tons of of transactions – together with NFT mints, token swaps, or every other operation on the chain – right into a single Ethereum layer-1 transaction. This makes Optimism an ideal platform for builders searching for a quick, scalable, and steady setting for constructing Ethereum functions.
Polygon zkEVM
Polygon zkEVM launched in 2023, and it’s an progressive scaling resolution that’s absolutely EVM-equivalent. As such, this implies you should utilize a majority of current Ethereum instruments, wallets, and good contracts to construct on the community!
However how does Polygon zkEVM enhance scalability?
Very like ImmutableX, Polygon zkEVM additionally leverages cryptographic zk-proofs to bundle a lot of transactions off-chain, later verifying them in a single batch on the Ethereum community. And that is how Polygin zkEVM is ready to improve throughput and considerably lowers fuel charges.
Take a look at our Polygon PoS vs Polygon zkEVM article to be taught extra about this ETH layer-2 resolution!
Nonetheless, that offers you an summary of a few of the most outstanding ETH layer-2 options. At this level, you could be keen on constructing your individual tasks on these platforms. If so, be part of us within the following part as we introduce you to Moralis – the {industry}’s main Web3 API supplier!
Construct on ETH Layer-2 Options with Moralis
Moralis is an industry-leading, cross-chain suitable Web3 API supplier. It helps layer-1 networks like Ethereum and Solana. Additionally, Moralis helps probably the most appreciable ETH layer-2 options, together with Arbitum, Base, Optimism, and many others. As such, it doesn’t matter which blockchain you want to leverage; Moralis has acquired you lined!
So, why must you use Moralis when constructing on the largest ETH layer-2 networks?
To reply this question, let’s take a look at three advantages of our premier Web3 APIs:
High Efficiency: All our Web3 APIs supply high efficiency. It doesn’t matter if you wish to measure by reliability, pace, or every other metric; our interfaces repeatedly blow the competitors out of the water. Unparalleled Scalability: Moralis’ APIs are constructed to scale. Consequently, you don’t have to fret about efficiency as your tasks expertise elevated adoption. Trusted by Business Leaders: Moralis is trusted and utilized by {industry} leaders, together with MetaMask, Opera, Delta, and plenty of others:
Now, with an summary of why you need to leverage our Web3 APIs, let’s take the next subsection to discover a few of our outstanding interfaces!
Moralis’ Web3 APIs
In Moralis’ suite of industry-leading Web3 APIs, you’ll discover a bunch of interfaces for varied use circumstances. Consequently, with our APIs, you’ll be able to seamlessly construct all the things from decentralized exchanges (DEXs) to Web3 wallets with out breaking a sweat!
Listed here are three examples of outstanding interfaces you’ll seemingly discover useful:
Pockets API: Moralis’ Pockets API is the final word software for anybody seeking to combine pockets performance into their Web3 tasks. With solely single strains of code, you’ll be able to effortlessly get the native stability, NFT stability, transactions, profile knowledge, and many others. What’s extra, you are able to do so for any pockets on all main layer-1 and layer-2 blockchain networks.
NFT API: The NFT API is the final word software for fetching and integrating NFT knowledge into your tasks. This interface helps over three million NFT collections, together with all the things from tokens that dropped simply seconds in the past to well-established tasks like CryptoPunks. Furthermore, with the NFT API, you’ll be able to simply get real-time NFT switch knowledge, enriched metadata, on-chain value knowledge, and extra.
Streams API: Moralis’ Streams API is the right software for integrating real-time updates and alerts into your Web3 tasks. With just a few strains of code, you’ll be able to seamlessly create streams to get reside updates despatched on to the backend of your tasks through webhooks.
Nonetheless, that covers three examples of outstanding interfaces. If you wish to discover all our merchandise, try our official Web3 API web page!
Additionally, do you know you’ll be able to entry all our interfaces without spending a dime? Merely enroll with Moralis and begin leveraging the complete energy of blockchain expertise at this time!
Abstract: What are ETH Layer-2 Options?
In at this time’s article, we kicked issues off by diving into the intricacies of ETH layer-2 options. In doing so, we realized that they’re blockchains that reach Ethereum to enhance the general scalability capabilities of the community!
From there, we additionally dove into 5 outstanding examples of ETH layer-2 networks:
ArbitrumBaseImmutableXOptimismPolygon zkEVM
Lastly, we additionally launched you to Moralis’ suite of industry-leading APIs – the final word instruments for Web3 growth!
In the event you appreciated this ETH layer-2 information, think about studying further articles right here on our weblog. As an example, try our Web3 wallets checklist or discover the intricacies of Web3 social media.
Additionally, when you’re severe about constructing dapps your self, don’t neglect to enroll with Moralis. You may create your account freed from cost, and also you’ll get on the spot entry to all our industry-leading Web3 growth instruments!
