Thread by @josefabregab

A new Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution was officially introduced 4 days ago by @MetisDAO:

Smart L2⚡️

🧵Thread on everything you need to know about Smart L2s

2/ In this thread we'll see:

• What is a Smart L2✅
• What is NOT a Smart L2❌
• How do Smart L2s work⚙️
• How do they inherit Ethereum L1's security🛡️
• Is @MetisDAO still a rollup?
• Is @MetisDAO still a L2?
• @MetisDAO post EIP-4844 (Sharding)📈

Let's dive in👇 (2/17)

3/ What is a Smart L2?

A Smart L2 is the newest and most recently updated form of traditional optimistic rollups.

This new model intends to have the optimal balance by enjoying enhanced scalability, lowest fees among all L2s, and Ethereum’s L1 underlying security.

4/ @MetisDAO is NOT:

• A sidechain, because sidechains have their own consensus mechanisms; Metis don't
• A Plasma or Validium, because neither Plasma or Validium support general computation, and Metis is EVM-Equivalent
• A zk-Rollup, as zk-Rollups use validity proofs.

5/ How do Smart L2s work?

First, Metis L2 collects/𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐮𝐩 a batch of txs

6/ How do Smart L2s work? (cont.)

Then, Transaction data is posted to Memolabs with its Merkle Tree Roots, and the Tx Batch MTR & State Roots are posted on L1 (Transaction commit submitted to L1)

If you're having a hard time following, think of the MTRs as identifier tags

7/ How do Smart L2s work? (cont.)

Finally, if needed (fraud proof posted / data needing to be verified on L1):

The rest of the data is brought on-chain via the indentifier tag and everything is resolved 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝟏

8/ How do Smart L2s work? (cont.)

In other words, L1 validators can ask for a resubmission of the data to L1 in order to make sure it matches the originally submitted commit)

If the request is not honored, L2 sequencer gets slashed.

9/ How does Metis Smart L2 inherits Ethereum L1's security?🛡️

If ANY tx data happens to be altered in memolabs by a malicious actor AND not caught by the peer network: the L1 validator would notice IMMEDIATELY that the MTRs don't match❌

10/ @MetisDAO does have a peer network to catch block production issues sooner, but calling Metis a sidechain would completely ignore the fact that our Layer 2 security is ultimately based on L1’s.

It doesn't get rid of L1's underlying security, it adds an extra layer to it🛡️🛡️

11/ "OH, but what about the Fisherman's Dilema?"

@MetisDAO Smart L2 gets around it because the sequencer's role is not permanent.

The cost of kicking out a bad sequencer is finite, so Metis’s security again is backed by L1’s security through fraud proofing.

12/ Regarding other situations when the sequencer stops the entire peer network and withholds the data:

@MetisDAO's Smart L2 has all these situations covered by making the cost of dealing with those situations finite & feasible

13/ Is @MetisDAO still a pure rollup?

No.

Even though Metis rolls up txs & relies on L1's underlying security: @VitalikButerin's definition of Rollups is clear

There must be DATA PER EACH TX submitted on-chain

Metis data submissions are on-demand & MTRs aren't considered data

14/ Is @MetisDAO still a Layer 2?

Absolutely. Here I'll attach pictures with the Definition of Layer 2s by Ethereum Foundation, and by L2fees.

As everyone can see, @MetisDAO passes the test in both cases.🎖️🎖️

15/ Anyone claiming "@MetisDAO is not a real L2" is simply ignoring facts

EVEN if memo got 51% attacked, L1 verifiers would catch it immediately, MTR verification would fail, & eventually a new sequencer comes into play✅

L1's security is present📌
L2 status is clear📌

16/ @MetisDAO after EIP-4844 (Sharding)

After Ethereum Sharding goes live, @MetisDAO will move back to be a pure Optimistic Rollup being able to handle over 100,000 TPS

Although, who knows, we might even see a zk @MetisDAO when it's all said and done.

Who knows😉🤷‍♂️

17/ Hopefully, now we can ALL agree that @MetisDAO is unarguably a Layer 2 solution

It'd be fantastic to see Ethereum Foundation & other Layer 2s encouraging innovation, instead of rejecting it.

At the end of the day, we're all here to build a better Web3...

Together:)

If you're interested in following closely the development of Smart L2s, and the future of Metis:

Don't forget to follow @MetisDAO Shadowy Super Coder & CoFounder: @thegoodboss2

Smart L2 questions are 100% welcomed

Comments & DMs are open:)

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