In a bold move poised to reshape the blockchain landscape, Matter Labs, the innovative minds behind the layer-2 network ZKsync, have unveiled their ambitious new roadmap: ZKsync 3.0. This initiative aspires to create a more cohesive ecosystem, featuring the groundbreaking “Elastic Chain,” a development drawing parallels with Polygon’s AggLayer, launched earlier this year.

ZKsync 3.0: The v24 Upgrade

Central to the ZKsync 3.0 vision is the v24 upgrade, released on June 7. This transformative update evolves ZKsync from a singular ZK chain into a multifaceted Elastic Chain, as elucidated in a blog post by the Matter Labs team and shared with CoinDesk.

The Elastic Chain: Seamless Multi-Chain Experience

The Elastic Chain comprises numerous chains within the ZKsync ecosystem, yet it offers users the seamless experience of interacting with a single chain. This sophisticated integration reflects Matter Labs’ dedication to enhancing user experience and functionality.

The ZK Stack: A Foundation for Custom Chains

Matter Labs introduced the ZK Stack last year, a comprehensive toolkit empowering developers to construct bespoke blockchains leveraging ZKsync’s technology. These custom chains, interconnected through the Elastic Chain, form a robust, integrated network.

The Elastic Chain Explained

Described as an “infinitely extensible network of ZK chains (including rollups, validiums, and volitions), secured by mathematical proofs and interoperable through a unified and intuitive user experience,” the Elastic Chain represents a significant advancement in blockchain interoperability. This innovation is part of a broader trend towards creating more seamless interconnections within blockchain ecosystems. Polygon’s AggLayer, introduced in January, mirrors this objective.

Core Components of the Elastic Chain

Matter Labs delineates three primary components constituting the Elastic Chain:

1. Native Token Vault and Shared Router: At the heart of the network, these elements are implemented as a series of smart contracts on Ethereum. They manage network state and chain registrations, ensuring streamlined operations.
2. ZK Gateway: This middleware bridges the Ethereum blockchain with ZKsync’s ZK chains, facilitating interoperability within the ZKsync ecosystem. It enables efficient communication and transactions across different chains.

Together, these components enable the ZK chains to interact and transact seamlessly, inheriting Ethereum’s security while allowing horizontal scaling. This maintains the fundamental properties that confer strength to public blockchains.