Astar Network Partners with Polygon Labs to Launch Layer 2 zkEVM Using Polygon’s CDK

According to a recent announcement unveiled at the Singapore Token 2049 event, Astar Network joined forces with Polygon Labs to launch Layer 2 zkEVM (Zero-Knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine) using their innovative CDK (Chain Development Kit). This partnership aims to address some of the most pressing challenges in the blockchain ecosystem, including scalability, transaction speed, and energy efficiency. 

Astar Network To Use Polygon’s Robust CDK For zkEVM 

In a significant step forward for Astar Network, the launch of Astar Supernova represents a pivotal achievement in their roadmap. With a dual focus on scaling Ethereum and advancing web3 adoption in Japan and beyond, Astar Network’s latest innovation, Astar zkEVM, is set to merge cutting-edge zero-knowledge (ZK) technology with Ethereum’s core strengths, including security, scalability, and interoperability.

According to an official statement, the Japanese blockchain project will leverage the Polygon CDK (Chain Development Kit), an open-source codebase designed for the deployment of zero-knowledge-powered Layer 2 chains on the Ethereum network. This utilization of the CDK will serve as the foundation for constructing Astar zkEVM.

With the launch of Astar zkEVM, Astar Network is expanding its cross-chain capabilities, laying the foundation for bringing billions into the Web3 ecosystem. Astar Network remains committed to its integral role within the Polkadot ecosystem, leading efforts to unite multichain communities.

The Astar Foundation will take the lead in initiatives aimed at onboarding enterprise partners to the Astar Network, thus increasing the number of parties building on the chain. The ultimate goal is to serve as a gateway connecting the Ethereum and Polkadot ecosystems, facilitating seamless interoperability.

Astar’s commitment to interoperability extends further as the project seeks to enhance cross-contract interoperability. Collaborating with partners such as LayerZero and Gelato, Astar aims to empower other decentralized applications (dApps) to tap into this interconnected blockchain market.

Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal said, “As it stands today, Asia is one of the most forward-thinking regions in the world when it comes to Web3 adoption. Together, we believe there is a strong demand for transparency for trustless applications that blockchains can bring to Japan.”

Working Module Of Astar zkEVM

One standout innovation within the Ethereum market is zk-rollups, which, when coupled with zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) technology, preserve trustlessness while bolstering security by verifying proofs without exposing sensitive data.

zkEVM, a pioneering development, seamlessly merges zk-rollups with the EVM, effectively replicating Ethereum’s environment within zk-rollups while providing cryptographic proofs of correctness. This not only guarantees data accuracy but also ensures the utmost security and privacy.

Maarten, Head of the Astar Foundation, said, “We will remain deeply rooted in the Polkadot ecosystem, which also includes enabling interoperability between all our VMs: EVM, zkEVM, and WASM.”

One of the key advantages of zkEVM is its capacity to offer portability for existing EVM-based decentralized applications (dApps). Developers can expand their protocols, delivering more cost-effective and swifter transactions to users.

The strategic partnership augments the existing Astar Tech Stack, establishing itself as a prominent blockchain platform, particularly in Japan, where it has risen to the top as the leading parachain by market value within the Polkadot ecosystem. 

Japan has emerged as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction, drawing attention to its accommodating stance. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, during the WebX conference in July, hailed the transformative potential of Web3, emphasizing its capacity to reshape the internet and catalyze social progress.

Astar Network, backed by Coinbase Ventures and Binance Labs, envisions a pivotal role within this transformative initiative. Japan has strategically delineated national zones aimed at accelerating the global competitiveness of projects dedicated to advancing Web3 adoption and real-world applications. Astar Network eagerly anticipates contributing to this endeavor. 

Astar’s founder Watanabe said, “By driving more enterprise adoption through zkEVM, we would also work together with the Japanese Government to enhance web3 as the national strategy.”