Scroll’s ‘Euclid’ update cuts Ethereum layer 2 costs by 90%
Summary
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Major Upgrade for Cost Reduction: Scroll launched its significant ‘Euclid’ protocol upgrade, aiming to dramatically cut transaction fees on its Ethereum Layer 2 network by up to 90%, while also improving performance and security.
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Technical Overhaul: The update introduces core technical changes including a new, more efficient OpenVM prover, a shift to Ethereum-aligned Merkle-Patricia Trie (MPT) state commitments, and the phasing out of older proof systems to enhance throughput and scalability.
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Enhanced Features and Decentralization Milestone: Euclid incorporates support for EIP-7702 (enabling account abstraction for EOAs) and RIP-7212 (adding security features), positioning Scroll as ‘Stage-1 ready’ in its progression towards greater decentralization according to standards defined by Vitalik Buterin and L2BEAT.
Scroll, a key contributor to Ethereum’s Layer 2 scaling efforts, has implemented a substantial protocol enhancement named ‘Euclid’.
This revision, announced Wednesday and characterized as the most significant update since the platform’s mainnet activation, is engineered to achieve a dramatic reduction in transaction costs, potentially up to 90 percent.
Concurrently, the upgrade is designed to improve network performance and bolster security protocols.
This deployment occurs during a demanding period for Ethereum’s Layer 2 solutions, which are navigating intensified competition from alternative Layer 1 networks like Solana and ongoing discussions about the viability of Ethereum’s rollup-centric scaling approach.
Revamped ZK-Rollup Architecture and Enhanced Efficiency
The Euclid upgrade incorporates a range of sophisticated technical modifications, fundamentally restructuring Scroll’s zero-knowledge (ZK) rollup framework.
Central to these changes is the integration of a new OpenVM prover, intended to make transaction validation more efficient through optimized and auditable code.
This change gets rid of the old circuit capacity checker, which restricted how many transactions could be processed, allowing for much faster transaction speeds.
Furthermore, Scroll is transitioning its state commitment mechanism to Merkle-Patricia Tries (MPT), aligning more closely with Ethereum’s native standards.
This alignment is expected to enhance the efficiency of its sequencer operations and streamline the development experience for creators of decentralized applications.
Integration of New EIPs to Boost Flexibility and Security
Expanding its feature set, Scroll’s update now includes support for EIP-7702.
This Ethereum Improvement Proposal will allow regular Externally Owned Accounts (EOAs) to act like smart contracts, giving users more options with a new type of transaction.
Complementing this effort is the adoption of RIP-7212, recognized as the first formal Rollup Improvement Proposal.
Its integration aims to strengthen security, introducing possibilities like biometric authentication and further expanding account abstraction functionalities.
Achieving ‘Stage-1 Readiness’ and Scaling Advancements
This collection of enhancements positions Scroll as meeting the criteria for ‘Stage-1 readiness,’ a classification developed by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and L2BEAT.
The designation signifies a Layer 2 network’s progress toward decentralization while maintaining reliance on Ethereum’s foundational security model.
Achieving this goal shows that Scroll is less reliant on possibly centralized parts, like its transaction sequencer and proof system, which are important for grouping transactions and handling disputes.
By phasing out its prior halo2 circuits (custom ZK proof systems for Scroll’s zkEVM), Euclid also ensures better compatibility with complex transactions, thereby increasing the network’s overall scalability potential.
Contextualizing the Upgrade Amid Ecosystem Challenges
These technological strides by Scroll follow its recent governance token distribution in October, where 7% of the SCR token supply, valued at around $77 million, was allocated through a community airdrop.
That event reportedly attracted some controversy, with critics suggesting the distribution method disproportionately benefited large holders and users associated with the Binance exchange.
Nevertheless, the implementation of Euclid underscores Scroll’s persistent commitment to refining its technical foundations and reinforcing the broader Ethereum Layer 2 ecosystem.
This commitment comes as the project, alongside its peers, addresses the ongoing challenges of reducing costs, increasing speed, and advancing decentralization within a highly competitive blockchain environment.
Also Read: Vitalik Buterin Suggests an Update to Ethereum That Would Make Smart Wallets Easier to Use
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