Optimism, the blockchain network developer, has unveiled a testnet version of its fault-proof system, marking a significant step in enhancing the security and decentralization of its Superchain.
The fault-proof system, implemented by OP Labs, Optimism’s developer, has been deployed on the Optimism Goerli network for testing purposes. This new system aims to introduce greater decentralization and efficiency to the Superchain once it completes testing.
At present, Optimism and other OP Stack-based networks utilize centralized sequencers for bundling and submitting transactions to the Ethereum network. However, a drawback of this approach is that users lack the ability to submit fraud proofs to block the sequencer in the event of incorrect data submission. This vulnerability exposes the network to potential fraudulent transactions if an attacker gains control of the sequencer.
The need to trust block proposers to submit accurate L1 state roots has been a concern raised by L2Beat in its report on Optimism. For these Layer 2 networks, including Optimism and Base, to truly be decentralized, users must be able to submit fraud proofs to prevent fraudulent withdrawals to Ethereum, as argued by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin in a January 2021 essay.
The introduction of the fault-proof system aims to address this issue, leading to increased diversity in the Optimism Superchain and ultimately enhancing the overall security of the ecosystem. The system will also offer the flexibility to use zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs) as a type of fraud-proof, expanding the security options for the network.
OP Labs has been actively working on building a connected web of blockchain networks known as the “Superchain.” This initiative involves creating the OP Stack, a suite of software tools for developing custom blockchain networks. Notably, other projects like Avail network have developed similar software, such as “OpEVM,” to achieve similar objectives while utilizing different base layers, like Avail instead of Ethereum. The Superchain concept is gaining traction as various projects explore different approaches to interconnected blockchain networks, including Polygon’s ZK Supernets and the Ethereum Virtual Machine Hyperchain based on zero-knowledge technology.
