Layers and hyperchain

What are Layers?

Layering is a basic architectural element at the heart of blockchain networks. Layering in blockchain refers to the separation of various functionalities and protocols into distinct levels, each having a specialized purpose.

Layer 1 (L1) and 2 (L2) are the most typical levels in blockchain networks. These layers work together to ensure that the blockchain ecosystem runs smoothly.

Layer 1 is the core layer of a blockchain network. It includes the core protocol and the consensus mechanism, which handles critical activities like transaction validation and block building. Layer 1 blockchains, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, perform transaction processing and smart contract execution on-chain.

On the other hand, Layer 2 blockchains are constructed on top of L1 blockchains to resolve scalability and efficiency concerns. Layer 2 options include state channels and sidechains, allowing for faster and less expensive transactions by processing them off-chain. These systems then regularly settle the accumulated transactions on the Layer 1 blockchain, decreasing congestion and enhancing throughput.

The demand for a more secure, interoperable, and scalable blockchain infrastructure inspired the notion of a Layer 3 Blockchain network. While both Layer 2 and Layer 3 solutions attempt to grow the blockchain network, Layer 3 is mainly concerned with integrating multiple blockchains and promoting seamless interaction.

How Hyperchains enable the creation of hyper-scalable L3 dApps— Key features

zkSync era’s hyperchains can be architectured to work as Layer-3s dApps. For this, the hyperchain needs to be deployed on the Layer-2 network, and it should utilize this same chain to settle its proofs. Setting on L2 means there will be significant load reduction on Layer-1. Only the aggregated proofs will be published on it. This will offer benefits like infinite scalability, faster messaging between L1->L2->L3 and meanwhile preserving interoperability of zkSync Era’s broader ecosystem.

Layer-3 hyperchains are feasible options for projects that need to integrate more advanced features on their dApps and a complex smart contract design, which is difficult to implement on Layer-1 and Layer-2 due to lack of scalability.

That was all about Layer-3s and its benefits. Now, to understand how exactly hyperchains are enabling the creation of hyper-scalable dApps, we have to dive deeper into all the features that hyperchains offer. These features together power a highly optimized rollup ecosystem that is perfect for Layer-3 development.

Sovereignty:

Hyperchains are sovereign blockchains, having the freedom to design their unique tokenomics, consensus, rollup mode, DA layer, and other aspects of a rollup chain. The idea of sovereign blockchain is to create a network that powers a single dApps rather than providing an ecosystem for multiple dApps. This enables complete block space for one application, providing infinite scalability and reliable security, privacy, and customization choices. However, sovereign ZK chains built as hyperchains can still leverage the security from underlying Layer-1.

Extensive modularity:

Developers in the zkSync Era are free to implement their own customization and components for making their hyperchains as modular as required. We have already talked about tokenomics, consensus, etc. On a high-level overview, hyperchains can opt for specific sequencing transactions – centralized sequencer, decentralized sequencer, shared sequencer, and priority queue. Similarly, each hyperchain can choose its DA layer and data availability policy. Basically, they can choose Layer-1 as the data availability layer, external DA solutions with zkPorter, and build their hyperchain as validium for off-chain data availability and verification by DAC– Data Availability Committee. Also, hyperchains are free to implement custom virtual machines (VM), set specific security parameters, and optimize their existing modules for greater speed and execution.

Account Abstraction (AA) Integration:

Hyperchains can integrate account abstraction (AA) features into their ecosystem, allowing users to utilize their accounts as smart contracts. This is possible because accounts in hyperchains can implement arbitrary logic within them while they can initiate transactions like EOAs. Having AA is beneficial in many ways, such as ensuring the privacy and security of smart contract wallets or protocols, one-click approval of asset trading and swapping, and the ease of accepting transaction fees in ERC tokens from any chain, regardless of the fee logic it implements. AA also enables cross-hyperchain wallet management so that users can manage and maintain wallets on different chains while still being able to transact with any chain.