- Polygon Labs suggests that the Celo blockchain community consider using its Chain Development Kit (CDK) for layer-2 migration on the Ethereum network.
- The proposal aims to transition Celo from an independent layer-1 to Ethereum layer-2, preserving its success traits and offering a developer-friendly experience.
- Polygon’s CDK enables building customized layer-2 chains with zero-knowledge technology, with other projects like Canto, Astar, Gnosis, and IDEX also adopting it for similar purposes.
Blockchain platform Celo is looking into the feasibility of transitioning from its standalone blockchain to an Ethereum Layer-2 network. The platform intended to use Optimism’s OP stack.
However, Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of Polygon Labs, advised Celo to use Polygon’s CDK for the deployment.
Celo Considers Transition to Ethereum Layer-2
The Celo platform’s principal development team, cLabs, had earlier announced a roadmap that would see it shift from a Layer-1 to an Ethereum-compatible Layer-2 solution. The team also mentioned using Optimism’s OP stack to make the shift.
The OP stack from Optimism is a customizable toolkit that makes use of Optimism’s ‘optimistic’ technology. However, Polygon Labs co-founder Sandeep Nailwal advised that Celo use Polygon’s Chain Development Kit (CDK). Polygon’s SDK toolkit is an open-source toolkit for creating a configurable layer-2 driven by zero-knowledge (zk) technology.
Sandeep Nailwal posted a proposal to the Celo community’s governance forum. Stating, “Polygon Labs is excited to welcome Celo home to Ethereum in the chain’s transition from an independent EVM-compatible L1 to an Ethereum L2. As Ethereum devotees obsessed with scaling, we are beyond excited to see Celo expand into an emerging and thriving Ethereum ecosystem and help extend Ethereum block space.”
According to Nailwal, the shift will allow Celo to reap the benefits of operating as an Ethereum Layer-2 solution while retaining the essential characteristics that have propelled the chain to success. The proposal also emphasized various benefits for Celo if it adopts Polygon SDK, such as cross-community collaboration via integration with an ecosystem of layer-2 solutions powered by zero-knowledge technology.
Benefits of Polygon SDK
Polygon SDK also considerably improves Ethereum compatibility by offering an environment similar to the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Celo would benefit from a smooth transfer while matching Ethereum’s technological architecture and tooling.
Nailwal further stated that using CDK will boost Celo’s security by allowing it to leverage Ethereum’s consensus layer while simultaneously benefiting from the security of zero-knowledge proofs.
“Migrating to an Ethereum L2 is a large technical upgrade that should come with built-in Ethereum alignment and as-close-as-possible developer experience, without compromising security.”
In terms of pricing and scalability, Nailwal noted that Celo might benefit from reduced fees due to the zkEVM validium design and off-chain data availability enabled by the Polygon SDK.
These would allow for highly cost-effective transactions and increased scalability for Celo. Nailwal further noted that by being a part of the Polygon ecosystem, Celo would get access to a unified Layer-2 economy, thanks to the combination of the Ethereum mainnet and the Polygon ecosystem, creating a smooth environment for developers and consumers.
Overall, the planned migration to Polygon SDK would provide a possibility for Celo to effortlessly transition into an Ethereum layer-2 while leveraging Polygon’s zk-powered technology, according to Nailwal.
About the Polygons SDK
The Polygon SDK toolkit was launched in August, allowing developers to create blockchain networks using ZK proofs. The open-source code base allows developers to connect chains via a ZK-based bridge, resulting in a single layer known as the ‘value layer.’
Cosmos-based layer-1 blockchain Canto has already announced its migration to a zero-knowledge Layer-2 on Ethereum via the Polygon SDK.
