BlockchainIntermediate#Scaling#Infrastructure
Layer 2 Rollup
L
Definition
A scaling solution that executes transactions off the main blockchain and posts compressed proof back to Layer 1, increasing throughput while inheriting L1 security.
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Concept Diagram
Key Takeaways
1
Rollups execute transactions off-chain and post compressed proofs back to Layer 1.
2
Optimistic rollups use fraud proofs (7-day challenge); ZK rollups use mathematical validity proofs.
3
Gas fees are 10-100x cheaper on L2 while maintaining L1 security guarantees.
4
Main risks: sequencer centralization, bridge vulnerabilities, and liquidity fragmentation.
Practical Example
You swap 1 ETH for USDC on Uniswap. On Ethereum L1, the gas fee is $12 and takes 12 seconds. On Arbitrum (Optimistic L2), the same swap costs $0.15 and takes 0.3 seconds — but the transaction is still secured by Ethereum's validators.
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Related Terms
Blockchain
Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP)A cryptographic method that allows one party to prove to another that a statement is true without revealing any additional information.
Blockchain
Cross-Chain BridgeA protocol that enables the transfer of assets and data between two different blockchain ecosystems.
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