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CDK

Polygon Labs unveiled its groundbreaking open-source codebase, the Polygon Chain Development Kit (CDK), on August 30, 2023. This initiative should help facilitate the development of zk Layer 2 chains and expand the Polygon L2 ecosystem. One of the standout features of the CDK is its versatility. It supports the development of not only zk rollups but also validiums. Another benefit of the CDK is the customization capabilities. Beyond data availability, developers can tailor various components to their specific needs, including virtual machines, fee tokens, sequencers, whitelisting protocols, and the Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) submission timeframe. This level of adaptability ensures that blockchain solutions can be finetuned to match unique project requirements.

An additional highlight of the Polygon CDK is its innate ability to interface with Polygon 2.0's Interop layer. Any chain birthed using the CDK establishes an automatic connection, similar to OP Chains in Optimism's Super Chain system. The resultant user experience is fluid and unified, giving the illusion of a single cohesive network, even though the reality may involve multiple interconnected networks.

Several frontrunning projects have already adopted the Polygon CDK to drive their initiatives, including Aavegotchi, Immutable, Gnosis Pay, and Palm Network. Their adoption underscores the potential and efficiency of the CDK in contemporary blockchain development.

In essence, Polygon Labs' release of the Chain Development Kit signifies a monumental leap in simplifying and enhancing zk Layer 2 chain development. It accentuates the company's commitment to fostering innovation and pushing the boundaries of what's achievable in the decentralized tech space.

Canto and Astar Plans to Join

Previously an alt-L1, Canto has announced it plans to migrate to a ZK-rollup on Ethereum, harnessing the power of Polygon's Chain Development Kit (CDK). Born as a permissionless general-purpose blockchain, Canto boasts of features like an EVM execution layer and fundamental financial instruments. These include a decentralized exchange, a lending market, and a unique unit of account (NOTE). But, what makes Canto stand out is the Canto Commons—a democratic framework that guides core protocol-level enhancements and development. It champions a decentralized and open model with "protocol public goods."

So, the pertinent question is, what does this significant shift towards an Ethereum ZK-powered Layer 2 signify for the dynamic Canto community? For Canto, this transition is monumental. Once the Canto Commons reaches a consensus, core developers will possess the tools to design a ZK Layer 2 that embodies Canto's foundational principles: an unwavering commitment to permissionless sovereignty and the public availability of liquidity. By utilizing a communal ZK bridge, Canto aims to channel the vast liquidity present in the Polygon ecosystem and tap into a straightforward Ethereum bridge. When it comes to user security, it's bolstered by a top-tier ZK prover currently in use, ensuring cryptographic protection that's a legacy of Ethereum, eliminating dependence on socio-economic motivations associated with fraud proofs.

Additionally, the Astar Network, previously a parachain in the Polkadot ecosystem, has announced Astar zkEVM, its own upcoming move to an Ethereum zk-rollup built using the Polygon CDP.

New POL Proposals

On September 14, Polygon Labs unveiled its roadmap for its new Polygon 2.0 visions and "unlimited scalability and unified liquidity." Central to this ambitious endeavor is Phase 0. Here, Polygon Labs has charted its plan to transition from its existing MATIC token to a new token named POL. This POL token isn't just a replacement but is positioned to be the foundational gas and staking token within the proof-of-stake version of the Polygon platform.

Beyond token dynamics, the company is poised to release its Staking Layer, which is designed to empower validators with the capability to fortify multiple chains within the newly envisioned Polygon ecosystem.

Conclusion

Polygon Labs' steps toward redefining scalability signal a promising trajectory for the L2 cryptocurrency ecosystem. While there is an unmistakable excitement around these developments, the project and team have a long road ahead of them before it is fully functional.