Rollup Basics

Background knowledge about Ethereum rollups to help you get started.

Rollup Basics

Before diving in, it’s important to understand what rollups are and the two primary types available. Alchemy Rollups supports both Optimistic Rollups and Zero-Knowledge (ZK) Rollups.

What is a Rollup?

A rollup is a blockchain solution that processes transactions off the main chain while using a Layer-1 blockchain for security. Instead of processing each transaction on the main chain, rollups batch transactions together and post a summary or proof to the Layer-1 network. This approach reduces fees and increases throughput while maintaining the security of the main chain.

Optimistic vs. ZK Rollups

Optimistic Rollups:

  • Assume transactions are valid by default.
  • Use a challenge period to allow for fraud proofs in case of invalid transactions.
  • Typically have a delay for finality due to the challenge period.
  • Provide strong security guarantees through economic incentives.

Zero-Knowledge (ZK) Rollups:

  • Generate a cryptographic proof for each batch of transactions.
  • Allow for near-instant finality since there’s no challenge period.
  • Offer even greater scalability by reducing the amount of data posted to Layer-1.
  • Can be more complex to implement due to the proof generation process.

Choose the framework that best fits your application's requirements.

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