Ronin zkEVM testnet goes live with Polygon CDK integration

Ronin, the blockchain for gamers, has announced that its zkEVM Testnet is now live.

The official unveiling of the zkEVM testnet comes a few days after Ronin introduced its zkEVM. The team called it the first step towards bringing Layer-2 blockchains to the mainnet.

When it launches, Ronin zkEVM will see builders leverage the Polygon Chain Development Kit (CDK) to create zero-knowledge (ZK) powered layer 2 chains on Ronin. Builders will also leverage the technology to permissionlessly deploy games, the Ronin team noted.

“Earlier this month, the journey towards Layer 2s on Ronin began. Polygon’s Chain Development Kit (CDK) became part of Ronin’s arsenal, which opened the door to a future ecosystem of zkEVM chains on Ronin – and today, the zkEVM Testnet became available as an L2 of the Saigon Testnet,” reads a post on Ronin’s X account.

Ronin zkEVM to help power next era of games

The zkEVM Testnet will give developers a chance to test L2s on Ronin, access the block explorer and query the RPC endpoint.

As well as leveraging Polygon’s CDK to launch L2s, zkEVM allows game developers tap into zero-knowledge proofs for scalability, opening up the ecosystem for more games and users.

Validators will also be able to test RON on the zkEVM Testnet by bridging testnet RON from Saigon. This unlocking of new features and functionalities for Ronin users, with the zkEVM block explorer for instance providing for secure user interaction within the ecosystem – including token and smart contracts search.

zkEVM also aligns Ronin’s incentives programs between L2 chains and the mainnet.

For instance, developers can only run a Ronin validator or proceed to launch their chain if they meet the requirement that they have 250K RON. It’s an economic activity designed to add to staking rewards for RON delegators.

AXS price surges, RON flat

Ronin anticipates the launch of zkEVM on the mainnet by Q1 2025, opening the network further grown within the blockchain gaming industry.

While Ronin initially developed as the blockchain network for the Axie Infinity game and its community, there’s more coming to the platform with zkEVM chains.

AXS, the governance token of the Axie Infinity game, has surged 6% in the past 24 hours to trade at $6.15.

Meanwhile, RON token is currently changing hands at $2.15. The token has traded lower since reaching highs of $4.34 in March amid news of the proposed zkEVM integration for enhanced scalability.

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