Introduction
The Ethereum ecosystem has witnessed significant evolution, particularly in Layer 2 (L2) scaling solutions. With Ethereum L1 gas fees hitting a 5-year low, many projects are reconsidering the necessity of L2 deployments. This raises a critical question: What core problems do L2 solutions solve today?
At the heart of blockchain scalability lies the "impossible triangle"—balancing security, decentralization, and scalability. Vitalik Buterin emphasized that achieving all three simultaneously remains a fundamental challenge.
Key Technical Challenges for L2 Solutions:
- Security: State summaries anchored on L1 and maintained by the mainnet.
- Decentralization: Minimizing centralization in sequencer networks.
- Scalability: Maximizing off-chain efficiency without compromising security.
While Optimistic Rollups (OP) and ZK-Rollups dominate the L2 landscape, Based-Rollup emerges as a novel alternative, redefining the power dynamics of L2 architectures.
Based-Rollup: Decentralizing the Sequencer Power
The Problem with Traditional L2 Sequencers
In standard OP systems, sequencers wield significant influence:
- Control transaction ordering (front-running risks).
- Extract value via MEV (Miner Extractable Value).
- Centralized sequencers create single points of failure.
Projects like Metis advocate decentralized sequencers to mitigate these issues. Other L2s approach MEV differently:
- Arbitrum: Enforces fair MEV treatment (FIFO basis).
- Optimism: Taxes MEV as a "free market practice."
Based-Rollup’s Innovative Approach
Based-Rollup eliminates L2 sequencers entirely by delegating sequencing to Ethereum L1. This design:
- Leverages L1’s decentralized validators for transaction ordering.
- Restricts L2 sequencer power, enhancing censorship resistance.
👉 Explore how Based-Rollup compares to other L2 solutions
How Based-Rollup Works: A 3-Step Process
L2 Searchers Bundle Transactions:
- L2 searchers package L2 transactions and submit them to L2 block builders.
L2 Block Construction:
- Builders assemble blocks without sequencing authority.
L1 Inclusion:
- L1 searchers (often the same entities as L2 builders) embed L2 blocks into L1.
Example: In Taiko’s implementation, L1 validators redundantly secure L2 blocks, optimizing hardware efficiency without additional overhead.
Based Booster Rollup (BBR): Taiko’s Next Evolution
Taiko’s Based Booster Rollup (BBR) extends the Based-Rollup concept by mirroring L1’s economic and security models. Key innovations:
- L1-L2 Alignment: Uses L1’s consensus for L2 finality.
- Resource Efficiency: Eliminates redundant sequencer infrastructure.
Note: BBR’s technical deep-dive will be covered in a follow-up article.
FAQ
1. Why is Based-Rollup more secure than OP Rollups?
Based-Rollup inherits Ethereum L1’s decentralization, removing centralized sequencer risks.
2. How does Based-Rollup handle MEV?
MEV is managed by L1 validators, reducing L2-specific exploitation.
3. What’s the role of L2 builders in Based-Rollup?
They construct blocks but cannot reorder transactions—sequencing is L1’s responsibility.
4. Is Based-Rollup compatible with ZK-Rollups?
Yes. Hybrid models (e.g., ZK-Based-Rollup) are theoretically feasible.
Conclusion
Based-Rollup represents a paradigm shift in L2 governance, redistributing power from centralized sequencers to Ethereum’s decentralized base layer. By integrating L1’s security, projects like Taiko demonstrate how L2s can achieve scalability without sacrificing decentralization.