Manta Pacific to migrate from Optimism to Polygon tech as a zkEVM Layer 2

Manta Pacific, a Layer 2 blockchain for zero-knowledge apps within the modular Manta Network, is moving from using a modified version of Optimism’s OP Stack from Caldera to Polygon’s Chain Development Kit.

The Manta Pacific mainnet alpha launch was only announced last month, but Layer 2 is already migrating to become a zkEVM validium. “Polygon’s CDK sets standards in Layer 2 design and implementation that OP Stack cannot meet in the long term,” Manta Network developer p0x labs said in a statement.

“The transition to zkEVM is a necessity for Manta Pacific to continue providing developers and users with the best-in-class experience,” added Victor Ji, co-founder of Manta Network. “Polygon’s CDK allows us to transition quickly and smoothly using a proven, robust system for deploying zkEVMs.”

Why Polygoon CDK?

The decision to migrate to using the Polygon CDK is designed to enable faster finalization, improved security, and broader interoperability with Ethereum, according to p0x labs.

ZK proofs ensure that transactions are finalized in seconds or minutes, instead of the days-long wait of other systems, and this is achieved without compromising security by relying on mathematical proofs instead of socio-economic incentives.

Manta Pacific’s ZK dapp ecosystem also requires a modular and sovereign framework, something that the configurability and adaptability of the Polygon CDK aligns with.

Finally, Manta Pacific is interoperable with other chains built with Polygon’s CDK via a reliable ZK bridge to Ethereum, enabling atomic Layer 2-to-Layer 2 transactions and expanding liquidity options for dapps on Manta Pacific, it said team.

“ZK knows ZK,” said Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of Polygon. “Manta Pacific is a unique hub of ZK-centric dapps and well-positioned to be part of an expanding Polygon ZK-powered Layer 2 ecosystem. The network effects are undeniable, meaning there is expanded access to unified blockspace.”

Simplification of ZK development

Manta Pacific aims to simplify the development of ZK dapps, eliminating the need for developers to struggle with complex cryptography. The Universal Circuits library allows Ethereum Solidity developers to enable ZK features in their privacy-focused DeFi and web3 applications with just a few lines of code.

Manta Pacific already hosts no-knowledge circuit applications, including the on-chain game zkHoldEm, the authenticated login protocol zkMe, and the data verification protocol zkPass.

“As core developers building ZK technology, it is important to align Manta Pacific’s best-in-class ZK ecosystem with all the benefits of the ZK infrastructure – and to do this in the EVM equivalent environment of the Polygon CDK, meaning existing development tools works out-of-the-box,” p0x labs added.

Manta Pacific’s transition to a zkEVM validium is the first step towards full mainnet, with an integration with Celestia’s data availability layer to reduce transaction costs and information about the mainnet launch specification expected in the coming weeks.

Layer 2s are added to the Polygon CDK queue

Layer 2s already being developed using the Polygon CDK include Immutable zkEVM, IDEX, Palm Network, and Astar zkEVM.

Polygon Labs proposed in June to upgrade its own flagship Polygon PoS sidechain to a zkEVM validium.

Clarifying the distinction between the Validium and existing zkEVM technologies at the time, Nailwal told The Block that “this is an upgrade from the Polygon PoS chain to a zkEVM ‘Validium’. That means the availability of data [for apps] will be with the validators, while the existing zkEVM rollups have data available directly on Ethereum.”

In July, p0x labs raised $25 million in a Series A funding round led by Polychain Capital.

Last week, Polygon Labs co-founder Sandeep Nailwal also proposed that the ApeCoin DAO develop and maintain its own Ethereum Layer 2, called “ApeChain,” using its CDK.