Polygon Unveils Alpha Testnet of Zero-Knowledge Rollup Solution ‘Miden’

• Polygon, a leading Ethereum layer-2 developer, has launched the alpha testnet of its new zero-knowledge (ZK)-rollup solution, Miden.
• Miden incorporates client-side proving, enhancing privacy and scalability.
• Polygon Labs CEO, Marc Boiron, criticizes Ethereum Layer 3 networks for draining value from the mainnet.

Polygon introduces Miden, a zero-knowledge rollup solution aimed at enhancing Ethereum’s capabilities. The solution incorporates client-side proving and faces competition from StarkNet and zkSync Era.

Polygon Launches Miden Alpha Testnet

Polygon, a prominent Ethereum layer-2 developer, has introduced the alpha version testnet of its latest zero-knowledge (ZK)-rollup solution named Miden. The testnet enables developers to initiate testing. Miden is a ZK-rollup specifically designed to enhance the capabilities of the Ethereum blockchain.

Features and Functionality of Miden

Miden uses a cryptographic technique that allows data to be verified or “proved” without disclosing its contents to the rest of the network. It incorporates client-side proving, enabling users to generate proofs for their state transitions locally, without revealing the state to the network. This approach aims to reduce the network load, enhance privacy, and improve scalability. Miden also introduces new functionalities, including private accounts that support private tokens and transactions, where only the hash of the account is stored on the blockchain. The solution also leverages parallel transaction execution, allowing concurrent processing of transactions, resulting in significantly higher throughput compared to the Ethereum mainnet and reduced blockchain node state bloat.

Polygon Labs CEO Criticizes Ethereum Layer 3 Networks

Last month, Polygon Labs CEO Marc Boiron lashed out at Layer 3 (L3) networks on the Ethereum blockchain, claiming they are unnecessary for scaling the network and only serve to drain value from the mainnet. Boiron expressed his skepticism about L3 networks, stating that Polygon Labs, a prominent Layer 2 (L2) scaling network for Ethereum, does not work on L3s because they are not essential for scaling existing networks. “L3s exist only to take value away from Ethereum and onto the L2s on which the L3s are built,” he argued.

Conclusion

The launch of Miden’s alpha testnet marks a significant step forward for Polygon in its quest to enhance the capabilities of the Ethereum blockchain. Despite the competition from other layer-2 scaling networks, Miden’s unique features and functionalities position it as a promising solution in the market. However, the debate over the necessity and value of Layer 3 networks continues, with Polygon Labs CEO Marc Boiron strongly criticizing their role in the Ethereum ecosystem.