Manta Pacific Moved to Polygon’s Chain Development Kit
Manta Pacific, a Layer 2 blockchain specializing in zero-knowledge-enabled applications within the modular Manta Network, is making a significant move by transitioning from a modified version of Optimism’s OP Stack by Caldera to Polygon’s Chain Development Kit (CDK).
The announcement of Manta Pacific’s mainnet alpha launch was made just last month, and yet, this Layer 2 blockchain is already making strides towards becoming a zkEVM validium. p0x labs, a developer within the Manta Network, explained the reasoning behind this transition, stating, “Polygon’s CDK sets standards in Layer 2 design and execution that, long-term, OP Stack cannot meet.”
Manta Network co-founder Victor Ji emphasized the necessity of this shift, saying, “The transition to zkEVM is necessary for Manta Pacific to continue providing the best-in-class experience for developers and users. Polygon’s CDK enables us to transition quickly and smoothly using a proven, robust system for deploying zkEVMs.”
Reasons for Choosing Polygon CDK
The decision to embrace the Polygon CDK is driven by a desire for faster finality, heightened security, and expanded interoperability with Ethereum. This transition leverages zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs to achieve transaction finality within seconds or minutes, significantly reducing the waiting period compared to other systems while maintaining security through mathematical proofs.
Manta Pacific’s ZK dapp ecosystem requires a modular and sovereign framework, qualities aligning perfectly with the configurability and adaptability of the Polygon CDK.
Furthermore, Manta Pacific’s interoperability with other chains built using Polygon’s CDK through a trustless ZK bridge to Ethereum paves the way for atomic Layer 2-to-Layer 2 transactions, expanding liquidity options for dapps on Manta Pacific.
Sandeep Nailwal, the co-founder of Polygon, noted, “Manta Pacific is a unique hub of ZK-centered dapps and well-positioned to join an expanding Polygon ZK-powered Layer 2 ecosystem. The network effects are undeniable, meaning expanded access to unified blockspace.”
Simplified ZK Development
Manta Pacific’s mission is to simplify ZK dapp development, removing the complexity of cryptography for developers. With the Universal Circuits library, Ethereum Solidity developers can easily enable ZK features in their privacy-centric DeFi and web3 applications with minimal code.
Notably, Manta Pacific already hosts zero knowledge-circuit-enabled applications, including the on-chain game zkHoldEm, verified credential protocol zkMe, and data verification protocol zkPass.
The transition of Manta Pacific into a zkEVM validium marks the initial step towards its full mainnet launch, which will include integration with Celestia’s data availability layer to reduce transaction fees. Details on the mainnet launch specification are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.
Joining the Polygon CDK Queue
Manta Pacific is not the only Layer 2 making the shift to Polygon’s CDK. Other Layer 2 projects in development utilizing the CDK include Immutable zkEVM, IDEX, Palm Network, and Astar zkEVM.
Polygon Labs had previously proposed upgrading its flagship Polygon PoS sidechain to become a zkEVM validium. This upgrade signifies a change in data availability, with validators holding this data, in contrast to existing zkEVM rollups, which have data availability directly on Ethereum.
In July, p0x labs secured $25 million in a Series A funding round led by Polychain Capital. Last week, Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of Polygon Labs, suggested the creation of ApeChain, an Ethereum Layer 2, using Polygon’s CDK within the ApeCoin DAO.
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