Astar Network Collaborates with Polygon Labs to Launch Astar zkEVM
Astar Network, a Layer 1 smart contract platform supporting Ethereum, Polkadot, and Cosmos ecosystems, is partnering with Polygon Labs, an Ethereum scaling developer, to introduce its Layer 2 solution called Astar zkEVM. This Japanese blockchain project will utilize the open-source codebase, Polygon CDK (Chain Development Kit), to build Astar zkEVM, which enables zero-knowledge-powered Layer 2 chains for Ethereum.
Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal stated that Asia is at the forefront of web3 adoption and emphasized the demand for transparent and trustless applications that blockchains can offer in Japan. Astar Network founder Sota Watanabe added that their collaboration with Polygon Labs will facilitate enterprises in initiating their blockchain initiatives and enhance Japan’s role as a web3 hub.
Polygon Labs has previously assisted in developing individual zkEVM chains for Immutable, IDEX, and Palm Network.
How Astar zkEVM Works
The CDK-deployed Layer 2 blockchains can connect to a shared ZK bridge for interoperability. The zkEVM provides an Ethereum-compatible scalability solution that supports the same code as Ethereum, allowing developers to integrate easily with existing tooling and infrastructure. ZK-rollups perform off-chain computations on the Layer 2, enabling faster and cheaper transactions while maintaining Ethereum’s security. Astar aims to attract global entertainment and gaming projects to enter the Japanese market and boost blockchain adoption in the country.
Japan’s Web3 Vision
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has expressed Japan’s favorable stance towards cryptocurrencies and web3 adoption. Astar, backed by Coinbase Ventures and Binance Labs, believes it has a role to play in strengthening web3 initiatives in Japan. The country has established national strategic zones to enhance the international competitiveness of projects focused on web3 adoption and real-world use cases. Astar intends to drive enterprise adoption through zkEVM and collaborate with the Japanese Government to advance web3 as a national strategy.
Astar previously collaborated with Sony on a web3 incubation program, resulting in the selection of 19 projects out of more than 200 applications to launch on Astar.
Polygon Labs introduced its own zkEVM in March, recognizing it as a crucial aspect of scaling the Ethereum network. Various blockchain projects, including Polygon, Starknet, ZkSync, and Scroll, have been competing to develop functional ZK-based Layer 2 solutions capable of natively supporting Ethereum apps.
Hot Take: Astar Network and Polygon Labs Join Forces to Drive Web3 Adoption in Japan
The collaboration between Astar Network and Polygon Labs marks a significant step towards accelerating web3 adoption in Japan. By leveraging Polygon’s CDK and implementing Astar zkEVM, these two entities aim to provide transparent and trustless blockchain solutions for enterprises while boosting the country’s role as a hub for web3 innovation. With Japan’s favorable stance towards cryptocurrencies and its establishment of national strategic zones, Astar Network sees an opportunity to contribute to the country’s web3 vision. This collaboration not only strengthens Japan’s position in the global blockchain landscape but also paves the way for increased blockchain adoption in various industries, particularly entertainment and gaming.
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