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zkLink Nova is a zero-knowledge rollup (ZK-rollup), serving as a universal Layer 3 solution built on Ethereum and its Layer 2s. It aggregates liquidity and assets across associated networks using ZK Stack and zkLink Nexus technologies. With its modular design, it also offers a customizable and scalable dApp deployment environment. The modular architecture of zkLink Nova consists of the following four layers:
1. **Sequencing:**
The sequencing layer's primary task is to monitor on-chain deposits in L3 smart contracts, maintain the state of L3, and organize transaction processing and proof generation. Users can deposit assets into smart contracts deployed on all associated chains or directly into the sequencer of L3 via RPC services to interact with zkLink Nova. The sequencer of zkLink Nova records input transactions according to the requirements of L3's proof system, while eliminating invalid transactions. Approved transactions are grouped into several small blocks, processed every two seconds in L3's zkEVM. Transaction blocks are further compiled into transaction packages to minimize costs associated with interacting with the settlement layer. At the time of writing, the sequencing of the protocol is centrally managed by the project team, but the long-term goal is to adopt decentralized sequencing solutions such as Espresso, Astria, and Fairblock.
2. **Execution:**
Transactions that update the state of L3 are executed at this layer. zkLink Nova utilizes the zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine (zkEVM) of ZK Stack to execute transactions. The zkEVM provides a secure execution environment for zkLink Nova's smart contracts, verifying each step of the execution using zk-proofs. As a result, this L3 can execute transactions verified using ZKP computations in an EVM-compatible environment, enabling developers to easily deploy dApps on Ethereum and other L2s to this L3.
3. **Settlement:**
The zkLink Nexus, zkLink Nova's dedicated settlement framework, can settle across multiple L2s and Ethereum, unlike traditional ZK-rollups settled on Ethereum. Consequently, this L3 can effectively aggregate all user deposits into smart contracts on other L2s without recalculating proofs. Due to its technology-agnostic nature, zkLink Nova can connect to all Ethereum L2s, regardless of their technology stacks (e.g., ZK or OP L2s). To settle transactions across multiple chains, zkLink Nexus utilizes a multi-chain state synchronization mechanism, a settlement framework that delegates the responsibility of verifying proofs to one chain and communicates chain states to other chains. |
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