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A Framework for Comparing Blockchain Rollup Systems


Core Concepts
This paper aims to establish a common framework for understanding and comparing the properties of different blockchain rollup systems.
Abstract

The paper introduces a framework for comparing blockchain rollup systems along four key dimensions: finality time, familiarity, modularity, and maturity.

Finality Time:

  • Rollups can achieve finality either optimistically (with a challenge period) or using zero-knowledge proofs.
  • Rollups with shorter finality times are more composable and provide a better user experience.

Familiarity:

  • Rollups may be unfamiliar to users and developers due to design decisions, technical limitations, or resource constraints.
  • Unfamiliar rollups can introduce unexpected behavior and negatively impact the user experience.

Modularity:

  • Rollups can be modular in how they sequence transactions, post data, and derive state.
  • Modular rollups introduce different trust assumptions and dependency risks.

Maturity:

  • Immature rollups may lack critical features like an escape hatch, affecting their trustworthiness.
  • Maturity also impacts composability, as dApp developers may be hesitant to integrate with less battle-tested systems.

The paper presents a visual framework using radar charts to quickly convey the properties of different rollup systems based on these four dimensions. This allows for easy comparison between rollups and understanding of their key characteristics.

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Stats
"Rollups can process closer to 2000 transactions per second." "Only 18 out of 38 active rollups have escape hatch functionality for both sequencer and state proposer failure."
Quotes
"Rollups may appear similar but be very different, and they may be immature or outright insecure." "Rushed development of these systems put user funds and the trustworthiness of the ecosystem at risk." "Anything that requires another axis will deserve its own classification within blockchain networks."

Key Insights Distilled From

by Jan Gorzny,M... at arxiv.org 04-26-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2404.16150.pdf
A Rollup Comparison Framework

Deeper Inquiries

How might the framework evolve to capture emerging rollup designs and features not covered in this paper?

The framework presented in the paper focuses on four dimensions: familiarity, finality time, modularity, and maturity, to compare rollups. To capture emerging rollup designs and features not covered in the paper, the framework could evolve in the following ways: Incorporating New Dimensions: As new rollup designs and features emerge, additional dimensions may need to be added to the framework. For example, if a new type of rollup introduces a unique security mechanism, a new dimension focusing on security could be included in the framework. Flexibility and Adaptability: The framework should be designed to be flexible and adaptable to accommodate evolving rollup designs. It should have the capability to incorporate new dimensions or modify existing ones based on the changing landscape of rollup technologies. Regular Updates: To stay relevant and comprehensive, the framework should undergo regular updates to reflect the latest advancements in rollup technology. This may involve periodic reviews and revisions to ensure that it remains effective in capturing the diverse range of rollup designs and features. Collaboration with Industry Experts: Engaging with industry experts and researchers in the field of blockchain technology can provide valuable insights into emerging rollup designs. Collaborating with experts can help identify new trends and features that should be included in the framework. Case Studies and Use Cases: Including case studies and real-world use cases of different rollup implementations can enrich the framework. By analyzing how various rollups perform in practical scenarios, the framework can better capture the nuances of different designs and features. By evolving in these ways, the framework can stay relevant and comprehensive in capturing the diverse and evolving landscape of rollup designs and features.

How could this framework be extended to analyze the security and economic incentives of different rollup architectures?

To extend the framework to analyze the security and economic incentives of different rollup architectures, the following approaches could be considered: Security Dimension: Introduce a new dimension specifically focused on security aspects of rollup architectures. This dimension could include factors such as the robustness of the security mechanisms, resistance to attacks, and the level of decentralization in the architecture. Economic Incentives Dimension: Create a dimension that evaluates the economic incentives built into the rollup architecture. This could involve analyzing tokenomics, staking mechanisms, fee structures, and governance models to assess the alignment of incentives for various stakeholders. Quantitative Metrics: Develop quantitative metrics to measure the security and economic aspects of different rollup architectures. This could involve creating scoring systems or indices that provide a numerical representation of the security and economic incentives of each architecture. Case Studies and Audits: Include case studies and security audits of rollup architectures to provide real-world insights into their security and economic viability. Audits by reputable firms can help assess the robustness of security measures and economic models. Stakeholder Analysis: Consider the perspectives of different stakeholders, such as users, developers, validators, and token holders, to understand how security and economic incentives impact their participation in the rollup ecosystem. By extending the framework to include these aspects, a more comprehensive analysis of the security and economic incentives of different rollup architectures can be achieved, providing valuable insights for stakeholders in the blockchain space.
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