Why is Scroll Different from All zkRollups

@Jane Chief of Staff at Aspecta, Crypto Investor

TL;DR

This paper examines Scroll, a highly innovative zkEVM-based execution layer designed as a scaling solution for Ethereum. First announced in April 2022, Scroll has already drawn the attention of major figures in the Ethereum community, including the Ethereum Foundation and Vitalik Buterin. The platform innovatively combines user security, EVM equivalence, open research-driven innovation, and decentralization to provide a scalable and efficient Layer 2 solution.

Introduction

Scroll, a zkEVM-based execution layer, is a pioneering Layer 2 solution designed to address Ethereum’s scalability issues. Its development, initiated in 2021, aimed to ensure user security and maintain EVM equivalence while promoting efficiency through a research-driven approach. This paper will delve into Scroll’s innovative features, including its bytecode-level zkEVM, decentralized prover network, Roller network, and its focus on EVM equivalence.

zkEVM-Based zkRollup Solution

“A bytecode-level zkEVM aims to interpret EVM bytecode. This is the approach taken by Scroll, Hermez, and this Consensys-led effort. Such a zkEVM may produce different state roots than the EVM, e.g. if the EVM’s SNARK-unfriendly Patricia-Merkle trie is replaced with a SNARK-friendly alternative,” quoted Justin Derek. Scroll implements a zkRollup solution grounded in zkEVM to ensure user security while maintaining EVM equivalence. In doing so, it offers an innovative approach to enhancing Ethereum’s performance and scalability.

Open Research-Driven Innovation

Scroll’s quest for efficiency fosters a culture of open research-driven innovation. This approach ensures that the project remains on the cutting edge of Layer 2 solutions while fostering community engagement and knowledge sharing.

The Decentralized Prover Network

Scroll’s unique decentralized prover network further underscores its commitment to decentralization. Through a coordinator, the network efficiently dispatches blocks to various provers, thereby avoiding a single point of failure inherent in centralized systems.

The Roller Network

The Roller network, a permissionless, decentralized network of provers, contributes to Scroll’s highly scalable infrastructure. These provers generate proofs for Scroll Layer 2 blocks, incentivizing growth in hardware capacity and fostering an inclusive, dynamic ecosystem.

Bytecode-Level zkEVM

Scroll’s bytecode-level zkEVM simplifies the development process by interpreting EVM bytecode, enabling developers to leverage all existing EVM tools without reinventing the wheel or compromising security.

Performance Optimization

Scroll implements an aggregation circuit that consolidates all proofs into a single proof, significantly reducing on-chain verification costs. Additionally, it incorporates an optimized GPU prover via the implementation of different kernels, overlapping CPU and GPU computation, and memory optimization for faster core computation.

Working Towards EVM Equivalence

Scroll is working towards EVM equivalence to ensure full compliance with the EVM specification, offering an implementation close to that of Ethereum. This approach aids in enhancing security by reusing numerous Ethereum stacks.

Conclusion

Scroll represents a groundbreaking approach to Layer 2 solutions for Ethereum, merging user security, efficiency, and decentralization. With innovations such as the decentralized prover network, bytecode-level zkEVM, and EVM equivalence, Scroll showcases the promising potential for scalable, efficient, and secure blockchain transactions. Future work should continue to monitor the growth and evolution of Scroll, as it sets the stage for the next generation of Layer 2 solutions in Ethereum.

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