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Analyst: OP Is Undervalued But Will Skyrocket Because Of Coinbase And Base

Adam Cochran, a partner and professor, is bullish about OP, the native token of Optimism, the layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum. 

Taking to X, Cochran is convinced OP is undervalued, pointing to the significance of Coinbase and the brand it has created over the years as a crypto exchange and investor in multiple products. In 2023, Coinbase backed the development of Base, a layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum that uses Optimism infrastructure for its optimistic roll-up. 

OP Will Rocket Because Of CoinBase And Base

In coming up with this assessment, the investor highlights Coinbase’s vast user base and ability to drive retail adoption towards Base potentially. And, as aforementioned, since Base uses Optimism, the expected adoption spike will significantly boost OP from current spot levels. 

Cochran argues that the “power of discoverability” associated with Coinbase, a brand that facilitates billions of dollars in daily trading, will be crucial to Optimism’s success. This is particularly relevant when looking at OP prices when writing.

OP price trending upward on the daily chart | Source: OPUSDT on Binance, TradingView

When writing, OP is stable but up 220% from October lows. The token has been trending higher, benefiting from the broader crypto rally. Even so, though in an uptrend, OP has not reclaimed 2023 highs of around $4.2.

To drive the point home, Cochran compares how the BNB Chain blew up in the number of active users. In the last bull run, the chain had an active decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) ecosystem. The BNB Chain’s popularity and soft landing is because the smart contracts platform is associated with Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. 

Further to the point, the success of Solana, the partner argues, lends its success to the now-defunct FTX. At its peak, FTX injected billions to fund the development of Solana. It was also actively involved in financing some of Solana’s active protocols. 

The Great Convergence Of Supportive Events

Presently, Coinbase is streamlining its operations, recently stopping support for Bitcoin, Litecoin, and other UTXO tokens via Coinbase Commerce. Their focus is on Ethereum-compatible tokens, which could provide hints that Coinbase Commerce might soon be integrated into Base.

From the protocol level, Ethereum plans to implement upgrades to make transacting on layer-2 platforms even cheaper. The Dencun Upgrade is scheduled for March and will see Ethereum enhance as part of its long-term scaling roadmap.

Optimism TVL | Source: L2Beat

L2Beat data on March 1 shows that Optimism has a total value locked (TVL) of $7.8 billion, roughly half that of Arbitrum. Meanwhile, Base has been rising up the rankings, commanding a TVL of approximately $1 billion.

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Market Expert Highlights Top Coins To Watch As Ethereum (ETH) Reaches 22-Month High

Market expert Miles Deutscher has identified several key trends and developments in the cryptocurrency market, particularly focusing on the Ethereum (ETH) rally and its implications for Layer-2 (L2) decentralized finance (DeFi) altcoins. 

Deutscher highlights that ETH’s recent surge to a 22-month high of $3,130 has sparked increased interest in L2/DeFi altcoins, presenting potential opportunities for investors.

Ethereum Price Strength Continues

In a recent post on social media X (formerly Twitter), Deutscher notes that Ethereum continues to show strength, especially compared to Bitcoin (BTC), which remains in a key consolidation phase at $51,100. Holding above the significant psychological level of $3,000, ETH’s bullish momentum is further fueled by reports of Justin Sun, the founder of TRON, purchasing over $500 million worth of ETH in recent days. 

Deutscher remains optimistic about ETH and ETH-betas leading up to the proposed exchange-traded fund (ETF) dates in May and the upcoming Dencun upgrade in March. There are also potential indications of ETH/BTC breaking out, with investor Andrew Kang actively increasing his ETH long position.

First, on his altcoins watchlist, Deutscher highlights the fee switch proposal underway at Uniswap (UNI). This US-based decentralized crypto exchange has seen notable price gains of over 37% in the past week, which could have significant implications for the entire industry from a regulatory standpoint.

Notably, the analyst believes that this development could potentially trigger a broader rotation into other DeFi 1.0 tokens such as Curve DAO (CRV), Compound (COMP), Aave (AAVE), and Frax Share (FXS), THORchain (RUNE), GMX, as investors seek to capitalize on the DeFi landscape.

Moving on to another altcoin that could see a price spike, Deutscher suggests that this week’s anticipated launch of Blast L2, founded by the same individual behind BLUR, presents an opportunity for BLUR stakers to receive tokens from the airdrop and potentially be further integrated into the ecosystem. 

Deutscher suggests that BLUR provides an alternative way to gain exposure to the Blast project, which has garnered bullish sentiment from numerous funds and thought leaders.

Following the positive news surrounding Uniswap, DYDX has been on the rise, with the token seeing a 7% increase in price over the last seven days. However, Deutscher cautions that a significant unlock is expected this week, which may tempt some recipients to sell, potentially causing a temporary dip in price.

Next in the spotlight, speculation surrounding the upcoming launch of Aevo (AEVO), which will allow developers to launch their protocols on its rollup and introduce an incentive program, is growing and generating interest in Ribbon Finance (RBN).

Given these developments, Deutscher notes that the prospect of pre-markets and IOU markets gaining “massive” attention and the recent record $4 million in fees positions RBN within an exciting narrative.

Deutscher’s Insights Point To Promising Trends

Following Deutscher’s mention of COTI last week, the coin has seen over 100% growth, breaking through key resistance levels. With the launch of their new privacy-enhancing L2 coinciding with the upcoming Ethereum Dencun upgrade, Deutscher notes that the protocol is in a favorable position for further price growth in the market.

On the other end of the spectrum, Deutscher acknowledges the rapid pace of market rotation and suggests keeping a close eye on Artificial Intelligence (AI) coins, which, as reported by NewsBTC, have seen significant gains with the hype surrounding AI projects such as Worldcoin (WLD).

Finally, with signs of life emerging over the weekend, according to the analyst, Rollbit Coin’s (RLB) burn mechanics position it as a leader in the “Rev Share/Real Yield” narrative. With the market potentially entering an “explosive bull run,” Deutscher believes the casino/gambling narrative could gain traction, benefiting projects like Rollbit, which has also seen gains of over 7% in the past 24 hours.

Ethereum

Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView.com

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How To Buy, Sell, And Trade Crypto On The Base Network

The foundational infrastructure of the Base Network brings about yet another Ethereum Layer 2 network, distinguished by its scalability and empowerment through the notable association with Coinbase. Coinbase is recognized globally as one of the most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges and companies, Coinbase effectively manages a diverse portfolio of crypto assets, solidifying its status as a cornerstone within the digital currency realm.

Positioned as a pivotal solution to address the persistent challenge of high transaction costs within the Ethereum network, the Base Chain stands quite firmly to revolutionize transaction fees, delivering a cost-effective alternative within the secure Ethereum environment. The assurance of a safe and reliable ecosystem is heightened by the affiliation with Coinbase, an industry titan renowned for its unwavering commitment and 10-year-long track record of great service.

Reasons To Trust The Base Chain

The current centralized phase of the Coinbase company, with its owners and Devs known to the public, establishes a solid foundation for users to place their trust in the Base chain. With over a decade of extensive experience in the cryptocurrency space, Coinbase has consistently demonstrated its expertise by developing and launching numerous successful crypto products.

This wealth of experience instills confidence in the Base Chain as it navigates its initial stages of centralization, with a strategic vision to progressively evolve into a decentralized entity over time.

Base Network

For those embarking on their journey within the Base Chain ecosystem, it is imperative to keep certain key considerations in mind. Firstly, the association with Coinbase serves as a testament to the network’s reliability and credibility. Additionally, users can anticipate ongoing enhancements and decentralization initiatives as the Base Chain matures, aligning with the broader ethos of blockchain technology.

In summary, the Base Network, fortified by its affiliation with Coinbase, emerges as a promising Ethereum Layer 2 solution, poised to alleviate the burden of high transaction costs while providing a secure and gradually decentralized environment.

Key Features To Note About Base Chain

  • Absence of Native Token: Notably, the Base Chain currently operates without a native token. Instead, transaction fees within the ecosystem are conducted using Base ETH. This choice streamlines interactions on the Base Chain and positions it as a unique player within the cryptocurrency landscape on the Ethereum chain. Some chain accepts their native token for gas fees but the Base chain accepts Base ETH.
  • Layer 2 Security Powered by Ethereum: The Base Chain distinguishes itself as a layer 2 chain, constructed upon the robust Ethereum technology. This strategic integration ensures a heightened level of security, leveraging the well-established reputation of Ethereum as one of the most secure technologies in the crypto community. Consequently, the Base Chain is anticipated to offer a security profile close to the Ethereum Layer 1 network.

    Related Reading: How To Buy, Sell, And Trade Tokens On The Avalanche Network

  • Developer Transparency and Coinbase Backing: In contrast to many emerging chains, the Base Chain stands out due to its transparent development process and substantial backing by Coinbase. The association with Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, lends credibility and trust. Considering Coinbase’s track record of providing crypto products to over 100 million users and processing $80 billion worth of crypto assets without controversies, users can confidently rely on the expertise of the development team.
  • Anticipated Low Gas Fees: One of the attractive features of the Base Chain is the expectation of significantly lower gas fees compared to the native Ethereum chain. This affordability factor provides users with an opportunity to experience Ethereum Layer 1 compatibility at a fraction of the cost, enhancing the cost-effectiveness of transactions on the Base Chain.
  • Open Source Technology with Optimism Integration: The Base Chain’s Open Source technology is powered by the Optimism Open Source chain. This integration not only supports the overall functionality of the chain but also simplifies the development process for creators. Developers can anticipate a user-friendly environment for building applications on the Base Chain, thanks to the enhanced capabilities and support provided by the Optimism Open Source chain.

Expanding on the diverse utilities and functionalities within the Base Ecosystem

  • Bridging Utility: The Base Ecosystem has a bridging utility, facilitating seamless interoperability with other blockchain networks. This feature enhances the overall connectivity of the Base Chain, allowing for the fluid transfer of assets and data across different blockchain environments.
  • DeFi (Decentralized Finance) Utility: Positioned at the forefront of decentralized finance, the Base Ecosystem provides comprehensive support for DeFi applications. Users can engage in a spectrum of financial services, including lending, borrowing, and trading, all within the secure and efficient framework of the Base Chain.
  • Gaming Utility: Acknowledging the growing significance of blockchain in the gaming industry, the Base Ecosystem integrates a gaming utility. This functionality opens avenues for the development and deployment of blockchain-based games, ensuring a secure and transparent gaming experience for users.
  • Social Utility: Recognizing the social aspect of blockchain technology, the Base Ecosystem incorporates a social utility. This facet enables the creation and deployment of decentralized social applications, fostering interactions, and transactions within a secure and trustless environment.

    Related Reading: How To Buy, Sell, And Trade Tokens on The Polygon Network

  • NFT (Non-Fungible Token) Utility: The Base Ecosystem extends its utility to support Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), a rapidly evolving and popular aspect of the blockchain space. Users can create, trade, and interact with NFTs seamlessly, leveraging the secure infrastructure of the Base Chain.
  • Compatibility with EVM-Supported Wallets: The Base Ecosystem ensures widespread accessibility by allowing users to utilize and access its utilities through different Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) supported wallets. This compatibility enhances user convenience, as individuals can leverage familiar wallets to engage with the diverse utilities offered by the Base Chain.

How To Buy, Sell, And Trade On The Base Network

Select an EVM-Compatible Wallet

To be able to make any transactions on the Base network, you need to have an EVM-Compatible Wallet. Click here to see a list of wallet options you can select from but I would recommend you use MetaMask, it is one of the most popular Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible wallets and also one of the most used wallets for Base Network transactions.

If you are using a PC, install the Metamask wallet extension by clicking on “Add to Chrome” to add the extension to your Chrome browser, as shown below:

Metamask

Once installed, open your MetaMask, set up your account, and make sure to keep your secret phrase very safe, I would advise that you write it down on a shit of paper, away from the internet where it can’t be hacked.

Add The BASE Network To Your MetaMask

To add the Base Network to your MetaMask, search for Chainlist on your browser, open it, connect your MetaMask wallet, search for Base, and add it to MetaMask by clicking on “Add to Metamask”, click on “Approve” and lastly click on “Switch Network” on your Metamask.

Chainlist

Acquire Base ETH

To make any transaction on the Base Network, you need Base ETH. Get your Base ETH from these cryptocurrency exchanges such as Binance, OKX, or KuCoin. Buy ETH on these platforms, go to the withdraw section, making sure to choose the BASE network as your transfer Network, which automatically converts your ETH to Base ETH as it gets to the ETH wallet destination.

Related Reading: How To Buy, Sell, and Trade Tokens On The Arbitrum Network

Alternatively, if you already have native ETH in your Metamask wallet, you can use the BASE bridge to bridge from the Ethereum Mainnet to the Base Network.

Bridging to Base Network ETH From Other Ethereum Layer 2s

If you wish to bridge your ETH to Base ETH from other Ethereum Layer 2 solutions, I would recommend secondary bridging platforms featured on the BASE Bridge platform. These platforms facilitate a smooth transition to the Base Network from various Ethereum Layer 2 environments, as shown below.

Example Of Bridging to Base ETH From Other Ethereum Layer 2s

ACROSS PROTOCOL is the first secondary bridging platform featured on the BASE Bridge platform as shown above, all you need to do is connect your Metamask wallet and select the amount of ETH you want to bridge to Base ETH and Bridge.

Swap

After Acquiring your Base ETH, you need to do your research and know which token you want to buy on the Base Network on Coingecko before heading over to Dexscreener to check for the token,  Dexscreener serves as a valuable tool for checking available tokens on the EVM chain, including the Base Network. 

Charts

By selecting the Base network on Dexscreener, you can access a comprehensive chart of available Base tokens. Note that not all tokens are supported on every DeFi DEX, search for the token you would like to trade and select it. After selecting, look out for the Green Box section selected in the image to identify which DeFi platforms support the token you wish to trade. 

Base charts

Obtaining Token Contract Address

Scroll down on the Dexscreener to find the token contract address or go back to Coingecko and copy the contract address. This address is crucial when trading on DeFi platforms.

Contract

Copy the contract address, and when you enter it in the swap section of a DeFi platform like Uniswap, it will reveal the token. If the token is not available on Uniswap, the Dexscreener will redirect you to another supported DeFi where you can trade the token like KyberSwap.

Kyberswap

Connect your wallet to KyberSwap, click on the denominator token, and paste the contract address of the Base token in the search box. Before initiating any trade on DeFi, confirm that the network on the DeFi is on, in this case, the Base Network, ensuring the token’s availability on the Base Network. If it’s not initially on the Base Network, go to “Select a chain”, and select the Base network to ensure compatibility. 

Base DApps

Choose the desired pair of Base tokens and ETH (or other base pairs), specify the amount you want to swap, and execute the trade.

Related Reading: How To Buy, Sell, And Trade Tokens On The BSC Network

Reverse Trading For Base Network ETH

If you wish to trade from a BASE token to Base ETH, simply reverse the order. Place the Base token at the top and the ETH at the bottom, then proceed with the swap. This allows you to exchange your Base token for ETH within the Base Network.

Reverse ETH Kybeswap

By following these steps, you can confidently navigate the trading process on the Base Network, leveraging the features of DeFi platforms and Dexscreener to make informed decisions and execute trades seamlessly.

Conclusion

The Base Network is another Ethereum Layer 2 network which is also affiliated with Coinbase, which is one of the most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges and companies in the crypto space with over 100 million users and processing $80 billion worth of crypto assets. Base Network has a lot of features which I have pointed out in the article already, although the Base Network does not have its Native token yet, it is still trusted and reliable due to its affiliation with Coinbase.

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Ethereum L2 Blast Crosses $123 Million, Important Things To Know Before You Bridge In

Blast, a brand new Ethereum Layer 2 network, has drawn a startling amount of interest and security concerns due to a surge of investors using the network to bridge their assets. 

Blast Hits $123 Million In TVL

Blast recently announced its mainnet access on X (formerly Twitter). The L2 network built by Pacman Blur has gained a staggering amount of attention from crypto investors following the declaration.

“Introducing Blast: The only Ethereum L2 with native yield for ETH and stablecoins. We’ve raised $20m from Paradigm and StandardCrypto to build the L2 that helps you earn more,” Blast stated. 

Blast recorded over 23,368 users in just 24 hours of announcing the imminent launch of its mainnet. The influx of investors pushed Blast’s Total Value Locked (TVL) to $81 million in a single day. 

“23,368 users have joined the Blast Community in the past 24 hours. Thanks to them, Blast has reached $81 Million in TVL in one day! We’re excited to share more with community members soon. There’s much more to come,” Blast said. 

Presently, Blast has recorded over $123 million in TVL from assets bridged by investors. This unexpected surge in bridging demands has raised concerns especially due to the unusual conditions attached to the bridging process. 

Blast Ethereum L2

According to Blast, users can only access the Ethereum L2 network after receiving an invitation code. The network has also stated that users will not be able to withdraw their bridged funds until February 2024. 

While the unconventional bridging conditions have raised some red flags, many investors continue to express their interest by actively bridging their assets 

Details About New Ethereum L2 Network

Blast has outlined several important details of its bridging and staking processes. The Ethereum L2 network highlighted the potential yield benefits of investors when they bridge their ETH tokens and stablecoins. The network has also stated that investors who stake their ETH can gain profits over time as their assets grow in their Blast wallets. 

“Once you have access, you can bridge to earn yield (4% for ETH + 5% for stablecoins) and Blast Points ahead of the Mainnet launch in February (2024). Early access members get more points based on how much they bridge and who they invite,” Blast stated.

The L2 network added:

Specifically, Blast natively participates in ETH staking, and the staking yield is passed back to the L2’s users and dapps. We’ve redesigned the L2 from the ground up so that if you have 1 ETH in your wallet on Blast, over time it grows to 1.04, 1.08, 1.12 ETH automatically.

Additionally, Blast has expanded its bridging capabilities to a diverse range of digital assets. According to the L2 network, investors can bridge beyond ETH and opt for stablecoins such as USDT, DAI, and more. 

“It’s not just ETH on Blast that earns yield. Stablecoins do too. When you bridge stablecoins like USDC, USDT, and DAI to Blast, it’s deposited in on-chain T-Bill protocols like MakerDAO, and the yield is passed back to Blast users via USDB, Blast’s auto-rebasing stablecoin,” Blast stated.

Ethereum price chart from Tradingview.com (Blast L2)

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When Is A Token Coming For Coinbase’s Base L2? Here’s What The Roadmap Says

Crypto exchange Coinbase announced and launched the testnet for its very own Layer 2 blockchain called Base earlier in February 2023. Since the launch, there have been speculations about the exchange launching a token for the L2, which has now been clarified in the newly released roadmap for Base.

Base Roadmap Mentions No Token

Following the launch of Base, crypto exchange Coinbase made it known that there were no plans to actually launch a token for the Layer 2 blockchain. Nevertheless, this did not stop the speculations, but with the release of its roadmap, the team seems to have put an abrupt halt to all rumors regarding a token.

The roadmap which was published on Wednesday on the Coinbase website clearly states that “Base has no plans to issue a network token.” Instead, it will continue to operate like most other Ethereum Layer 2 blockchains, using ETH as a way to carry out transactions and pay for gas fees.

As the L2 moves closer toward a mainnet launch, the team is rather focusing on builders on the chain. It is also looking toward upgrading Optimism’s Bedrock, as well as all of the reviews and audits while making sure the testate remains stable.

“We’ve been building towards Mainnet Genesis, the first step of delivering a decentralized platform that scales Ethereum with fast, low-cost and secure transactions. As we prepare to upgrade from testnet to mainnet, we want to build in the open and keep the community informed of our roadmap and status,” the statement said.

Coinbase stock price chart from TradingView.com (Base)

Coinbase Will Face Fierce Competition In L2 Market

While blockchain is still not as mainstream as industry participants would like, they are being developed rapidly. As Coinbase enters the L2 space, it is coming into fierce competition with other L2s that are already live on the mainnet.

The likes of Optimism and Arbitrum have seen a reasonable level of success since their launch, which signals that Base could be just as successful. However, one thing the former have are tokens that are already trading across major exchanges. As such, they may continue to see the most interest from investors who are chasing gains from these tokens.

Nevertheless, Base is still a highly anticipated L2 expected to launch in mainnet sometime in 2023. There is no reason to doubt Coinbase’s stance in not creating a token, but this could always change as Arbitrum operated for two years before launching a token.

Arbitrum, Polygon, and Optimism remain the dominant L2s in the space with total value locked of $2.31 billion, $986.88 million, and $881.1 million respectively.

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How Arbitrum and Optimism Made Millions in 2022

Arbitrum and Optimism raked millions in profit despite the extended bear market that hammered decentralized finance (DeFi) activities and Ethereum (ETH) valuation in 2022.

Arbitrum And Optimism Win Big

Per on-chain data shared on Twitter, Arbitrum, and Optimism, general-purpose Ethereum layer-2 platforms, made 2,906 ETH and 2,086ETH, respectively. In USD terms, it translates to around $4.6 million and $3.3 million for each protocol.

Based on user activity and the number of dApps launched on Ethereum, solid statistics show that developers prefer the first smart contracting over competitors. Since launching, the network has become a hub of activity, spearheading exciting innovations in decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, metaverse, and gaming. 

Trackers in mid-January 2023 state that the total value locked (TVL) in Ethereum stands at $26.88 billion, representing more than half of the assets locked across DeFi. The drop in TVL mirrors the fall in ETH prices in 2022.

Ethereum price action 2022

In essence, Ethereum dominates with DeFi activity over the Binance Smart Chain (BSC), trailing at less than a quarter of the TVL of the leading platform, at $4.65 billion.

Despite this dominance, Ethereum’s scaling problem directly impacts Gas fees. As demand picks up, Gas fees fluctuate, leading to as much as $50 on this blockchain to post a simple transaction. Deploying smart contracts cost much more, sometimes upwards of $80, when the network is congested. As an illustration, the average transaction fees on Ethereum stood at $0.63 on January 17. However, on May 1, 2022, this figure stood at over $23.

Ethereum layer-2 protocols are part of the scaling attempts made by developers to relieve the mainnet. By routing transactions off-chain, layer-2 solutions can help scale Ethereum but, most importantly, reduce Gas fees by several magnitudes. 

In Ethereum’s layer-2 realm, Arbitrum and Optimism dominate. According to L2Beat statistics, Arbitrum and Optimism had TVLs of $2.52 billion and $1.45 billion, with a market share of 52% and roughly 30%, respectively. 

Popular Ethereum L2s by TVL

Riding on Network Effects

Although associated fees in Arbitrum, Optimism, and all other layer-2 networks are negligibly low, these protocols can profit based on activity. For every transfer or smart contract execution of Arbitrum and Optimism, there is an associated fee. 

Arbitrum and Optimism charge $0.11 and $0.23 for simple transfers, payable in ETH. If a smart contract is deployed, the fees rise to $0.30 and $0.35. They make more fees as more users deploy smart contracts or initiate transfers. Accumulating these amounts over months translate to a tidy profit for the protocol operator. 

In 2022, Ethereum layer-2 TVL fell roughly 40% from $7.45 billion to $3.3 billion in July 2022. Outflows were lower compared to layer-1 DeFi. As the market recovers, layer-2 operators may likely post higher revenue as users move assets to dApps launched on these scalable and low-fee protocols.

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Ethereum Layer-2 Platform, ZKSync, Releases New SDK in Swift

ZKSync, an Ethereum layer-2 platform designed to scale transaction throughput using zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs and Rollups, has released a new software development kit (SDK) in Swift.

ZKSync Releases SDK in Swift

In a tweet on January 17, ZKSync said the goal is to make their features more accessible to developers and dApps. With a Swift SDK, ZKSync would support more platforms and use cases, especially for teams building iOS and macOS applications on ZKSync 2.0.

Swift is the programming language behind iOS and Mac devices. However, Swift cloud storage software for iOS and macOS enables users to retrieve data through an API. Cloud storage is scalable and designed to store unstructured data that can limitlessly grow. 

SDKs in Popular Programming Languages

Besides Swift, ZKSync also supports Python, Java, Android, Rust, and Dart programming languages. Dart, the layer-2 platform explains, is the “unofficial” open-sourced SDK in Alpha. However, the layer-2 portal plans to support more SDKs in various programming languages to cater to their expanding developer community, allowing them to build more solutions addressing multiple problems.

SDKs are critical for developers since they allow the building to be simpler, faster, and standardized. For creators to integrate into existing services, they require kits, which often include necessary documentation, code samples, libraries, APIs, and more, providing guidance when developing blockchain solutions. However, within any developer kit, APIs are critical because they act as an interface for dApps to relay information and coordinate. 

Scaling Ethereum Using ZKSync v2

ZKSync layer-2 is building a solution for users to quickly transfer ethereum (ETH) and ERC-20 tokens without paying the relatively high fees in the mainnet. 

Ethereum gas fees often fluctuate depending on on-chain activities. As ETH prices rally, DeFi and NFT activities often expand, leading to high gas fees. With Gas rising on a public, transparent layer, users have to pay more to transfer or execute smart contracts.

Ethereum price chart from TradingView.com

The layer-2 platform is positioning itself as a better alternative for teams and users, preferring scalability, privacy, and security. Following the launch of the ZKSync 2.0 mainnet, there is a scaling and privacy engine using ZK proofs. Earlier, Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, relayed his confidence in ZK Rollups that dApps on ZKSync leverages. In the co-founder’s assessment, ZK Rollups “will win out in all use cases.”

ZKSync 2.0 Is Live on Mainnet

Users deploying on the ZKSync 2.0 mainnet, which launched in Q4 2022, enjoy low fees and faster transaction settlement. Developers are free to experiment and add more features.

For instance, ZKSync supports account abstraction for users to pay fees in other tokens apart from ETH and build smart contracts in Vyper or Solidity. The layer-2 solution also supports Atomic Swaps. It is a feature that ZKSync creators say can benefit cryptocurrency exchanges.

NewsBTC reported earlier that Optimism, a general-purpose Ethereum layer-2, and ZKSync competitor, was more Gas efficient despite revenue and assets under its management dropping.

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Hacker Scoops Up $2 Million Bounty After Spotting Fatal Flaw In Ethereum Rollup

A hacker has made off with $2 million in bug bounty after finding an alarming vulnerability with the Ethereum network. This bug could have been very bad if it had been found by black hat hackers who could have exploited the digital asset for billions of dollars worth of ETH. Instead, a ‘grey hat’ hacker popularly known as Saurik informed the Ethereum team of the vulnerability, netting himself a sizable reward in return.

Finding The Vulnerability On Ethereum

Hacker Saurik had found the vulnerability on Optimism, an Ethereum layer 2 rollup solution. The hacker himself published a report as to how he found the vulnerability on the solution. Looking through nano payments protocols on the rollup, he had found a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to withdraw unbridled a ‘virtually unlimited’ amount of ETH from the solution.

Related Reading | TA: Ethereum Overcome Hurdles, Why 100 SMA Is The Key

It was similar to the attack method deployed on popular smart contracts blockchain Solana that resulted in the $353 million hacks on Wormhole. Optimism, like Wormhole, mint what are known as “Wrapped Ether.”  Users deposit their Ether on the smart contract to basically serve as collateral and they are even these tokens that only exist on Optimism’s network. They then use nano payments protocol to make transactions faster and quicker.

ETH recovers above $3,100 | Source: ETHUSD on TradingView.com

Saurik who is famously known for developing the Jailbroken iOS had confirmed the vulnerability. However, instead of exploiting the vulnerability for his own personal gain, the self-styled grey hat hacker had reported it to the Optimism devs. In return, Saurik was rewarded with a $2 million bounty for his altruism, which has helped to make the network and layer 2 rollup safer for users.

Debunking Popular Rumors

After news of the vulnerability and subsequent bounty payment broke, there have been rumors circulating regarding what an attacker could have done with it if they chose to not report it to the devs. The most popular of these has been that the attacker would have been able to withdraw an unlimited amount of ETH from the network. While this has some merit to it, it is largely false.

Firstly, the vulnerability exists on a layer 2 rollup solution Optimism. While the protocol exists on the ethereum network, it is not the network itself. This means that the vulnerability was localized to the protocol alone. So while an attacker would have been able to exploit this to withdraw an ‘unlimited’ amount of ETH, they could only withdraw the available balance on the Optimism address.

Related Reading | Will Ethereum Hit $7k This Year? Finder’s Panel Says Yes

Nevertheless, it is still no secret that the results would have been devastating for users of the layer 2 protocol if a black hat hacker had found the vulnerability. This event speaks volumes about the usefulness of bug bounties. While the rewards for these bounties may seem too large at first, one must think about what the alternative would be if there was no incentive for hackers to come forward with their findings. White hat hackers no doubt help to save millions, if not billions, of dollars every year.

Featured image from Gagadget, chart from TradingView.com

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Polygon ’s Blockchain Hard-Forked Without Warning To Closed-Source Genesis. Why?

What’s going on at Polygon? There seems to be a disturbance in the force over there. Is the Ethereum Layer 2 project alright? Are they doing everything above board or is there something sinister going on? Are they even decentralized if they can hard-fork just like that? Or did they follow the proper procedures and their critics are just uninformed? Can we even answer all of those questions? Probably not. But we can present all the information available and let you all get to your own conclusions.

Are we all supposed to just shut up and forget about the fact that over a week ago Polygon hard-forked their blockchain in the middle of the night with no warning to a completely closed-source genesis and still haven't verified the code or explained what is going on?

— Nathan Worsley (@NathanWorsley_) December 15, 2021

Let’s start with DeFi Builder Nathan Worsley’s accusation. Or is he just requesting information? Worsley recently tweeted, “Are we all supposed to just shut up and forget about the fact that over a week ago Polygon hard-forked their blockchain in the middle of the night with no warning to a completely closed-source genesis and still haven’t verified the code or explained what is going on?” 

Related Reading | Polygon: Ethereum’s Friend Is Looking To Make Big Strides

The “middle of the night” part is arguable since everyone is in different timezones and the Polygon blockchain is everywhere. However, he cleared up why the issue is important, “Until the code is verified there are no security guarantees about the billions of dollars in assets the chain currently secures.” And tweeted proof of everything else, “Here’s the commit that was hard-forked into production.”

Here's the commit that was hard-forked into production the middle of the nighthttps://t.co/qMunI4WZxx

— Nathan Worsley (@NathanWorsley_) December 15, 2021

To add credibility to his claim, DeFiance Capital’s Zhu Su joined the chorus asking for answers. “Was this to patch a critical bug? Why and how did this happen?”

Why am I seeing 100x more solana fud than discussion of this? Was this to patch a critical bug? Why and how did this happen? https://t.co/GhY3eTYNtm

— Zhu Su 🔺 (@zhusu) December 15, 2021

Polygon Responds And Shows Receipts

The criticism got a response from Polygon’s co-founder Mihailo Bjelic. “We’re making an effort to improve security practices across all Polygon projects,” Bjelic tweeted. “As a part of this effort, we are working with multiple security researcher groups, whitehat hackers etc. One of these partners discovered a vulnerability in one of the recently verified contracts. We immediately introduced a fix and coordinated the upgrade with validators/full node operators. No funds were lost. The network is stable.”

2/2 ..vulnerability in one of the recently verified contracts. We immediately introduced a fix and coordinated the upgrade with validators/full node operators. No funds were lost. The network is stable.

A detailed blog post coming, we are finalizing additional security analyses.

— Mihailo Bjelic (@MihailoBjelic) December 15, 2021

Ok, that sounds reasonable. Bjelic also promised, “A detailed blog post coming, we are finalizing additional security analyses.” A question lingered in the air, though. And crypto enthusiast J. Vicente Correa asked it in the most direct way possible, “U can fork the chain by yourself and take all my funds as u wish?”

Absolutely not.

The network is run by validators and full node operators, and we have no control over any of these groups. We just did our best to communicate and explain the importance of this upgrade, but ultimately it was up to them to decide whether they will do it or not.

— Mihailo Bjelic (@MihailoBjelic) December 15, 2021

And Polygon’s Mihailo Bjelic answers in the most political way possible. “Absolutely not. The network is run by validators and full node operators, and we have no control over any of these groups. We just did our best to communicate and explain the importance of this upgrade, but ultimately it was up to them to decide whether they will do it or not.”

Fair enough. However…

MATIC price chart on Poloniex | Source: MATIC/USD on TradingView.com
A Node Operator Has Some Criticism Of His Own

In the same thread, Polygon node operator Mikko Ohtamaa blasted the way the company handled the whole thing and also showed receipts. “Next time it happens can you at least announce a critical update to all Polygon node operators. Now this looks super unprofessional and confusing for the community. It was not mentioned or pinned down in any major channels or publications.”

He got a response from Polygon’s other co-creator, Sandeep Nailwal. “This was a security update, and hence pre-public-announcement could’ve escalated things.”

Hey Mikko, this was a security update, and hence pre-public-announcement could've escalated things.

— Sandeep – Polygon – NAE (NOT Abandoning ETHEREUM) (@sandeepnailwal) December 15, 2021

Ok, that makes sense. However, Ohtamaa had more complaints. “Some bug fixes” for a critical patch is not good. If there is a critical fix you co-ordinate with validators.” Plus, he reinforced Nathan Worsley’s original complaint. “It’s really obvious it is a critical security bug if you do unannounced no notice hard fork in the middle of a weekend.”

It's really obvious it is a critical security bug if you do unannounced no notice hard fork in the middle of a weekend. So do not be dumb and think your users are dumb.

— Mikko Ohtamaa 🐮 (@moo9000) December 15, 2021

According to Ohtamaa, “there are multiple open source projects out there” that have done similar operations in a more effective manner. Someone asked what could Polygon have done better. He answered with a series of simple steps. 

  1. Prepare the patch privately.
  2. A few days before, announce a critical security fix is coming. All node operators need to be prepared.
  3. Distribute the patch at the preset time.
  4. Not downplay the criticality of the patch and make idiot-looking release notes.

Related Reading | How Polygon Sealed A $400M Deal To Get Ahead In The Ethereum ZK Rollup Race

So, is there something rotten at Polygon? We will have to wait for the “detailed blog post” Bjelic promised to know for sure.

Featured Image by Mae Mu on Unsplash – Charts by TradingView