In the first half of 2024, Polygon may upgrade its PoS to "zkEVM validium."
To boost network safety, Mihailo Bjelic, co-founder of Polygon, advocated for a shift from Proof-of-Stake (PoS) network to a "zkEVM validium" version.
The proposal was revealed on Bjelic's June 20th forum post, claiming that, if embraced, this upgrade would hinge on zero-knowledge proofs to enhance network security.
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In the forum post, Bjelic put forward the idea of upgrading the existing PoS network to a zkEVM version, which translates to both networks banking on zero-knowledge proofs.
Unlike the newly initiated network, the enhanced version of Polygon PoS will not be a rollup, as it won't compact transaction information on Ethereum. Instead, it will adopt a "validium" form, preserving only validation proofs on Layer-1 while keeping transaction data on a different chain.
This solution is expected to drive Polygon PoS towards reduced transaction fees compared to Polygon zkEVM. At the same time, it will bolster the safety of Polygon PoS by letting the network draw from Ethereum’s security.
Post-upgrade, Bjelic envisions the Polygon zkEVM being leveraged for high-stakes transactions that prioritize security, while Polygon PoS might gain favor among gaming and social media fanatics. He shared his thoughts, stating:
Upgraded Polygon PoS (zkEVM validium) would offer very high scalability and very low fees, with the tradeoff of storing transaction data locally instead of on Ethereum. It would be a great fit for applications that have high transaction volume and require low transaction fees, e.g. Web3 gaming and social.
Bjelic also estimated a tentative timeline for the upgrade, indicating his informal proposal could mature into an official Polygon Improvement Proposal by November, with the possibility of mainnet implementation sometime between February and March 2024.
Introduced in 2019, an Ethereum scaling mechanism, the Polygon PoS, holds a remarkable $900 million in total value locked (TVL).
In its commitment to innovation, the Polygon team set in motion a second network in March named Polygon zkEVM, which scales Ethereum through zero-knowledge proof rollups.
This proposed launch of Polygon zkEVM and the upgrading of Polygon PoS align with the team's ambitious vision to form a "Supernet" that brings together several application-specific chains, an initiative known as "Polygon 2.0."
This carefully considered move by the Polygon team to enhance their PoS network is a testament to their relentless pursuit of security and efficiency, a reflection of their broader vision for the future of blockchain technology.
