Exploring the Spectrum of Based Rollups for Ethereum Scaling
Based rollups are emerging as a promising solution to enhance Ethereum's scalability while retaining its network effect and composability, according to taiko.mirror.xyz. These rollups operate on a spectrum that continues to evolve, presenting new opportunities and challenges for blockchain developers and Ethereum users alike.
The Evolution of Based Rollups
The concept of based rollups involves different approaches to sequencing and batching transactions, with one extreme being a "total anarchy" model. This model, while offering flexibility, introduces inefficiencies, particularly in block proposing, due to parallel efforts. Taiko, the first to adopt this model, faces specific trade-offs, such as inefficiencies in block proposing.
To mitigate these inefficiencies, Layer 1 (L1) builders need to implement revert protection to protect proposers from failed block attempts. This involves trusting the builder to reject multiple proposeBlock calls, preventing frontrunning. However, this approach also presents challenges, such as the inability to predefine the next proposer, impacting composability and interoperability between Ethereum and based rollups.
Innovative Approaches to Sequencing
Various strategies have been proposed to address these challenges. One such strategy is the auction model, where an on-chain auction among ticket holders determines the next proposer. While this method establishes a commitment with the next Layer 2 (L2) builder, it does not enhance composability with L1 unless building rights are delegated to the auction winner.
Another approach involves opted-in L1 proposers, where L1 proposers must opt into the based rollup through a gateway. This allows them to simultaneously build L1 and based rollup blocks, creating atomic composability and simplifying user-L2 block builder commitments. However, this requires proposers to deposit collateral to ensure transaction inclusion, with penalties for failure to do so.
The Future of Based Rollups
The current version of Taiko employs a model where blocks are built locally in L2 and proposed to L1 by anyone, relying on L2 block times for composability. This model lacks atomic-level composability but offers a flexible structure for future developments.
A more integrated approach involves opted-in L1 proposers, allowing for synchronous composability and control over both L1 and L2 blocks. This vision represents the next step for based rollups, enhancing composability and reducing submission times to Ethereum.
The spectrum of based rollups is illustrated by the varying degrees of L1 composability and user experience. As the alignment between L1 and L2 constructors increases, composability advances towards atomic phases, enhancing overall blockchain efficiency.