Starknet Unveils Plans to Enhance Decentralization of Core Components
Summary:
Starknet, an Ethereum layer 2 scaling network, has detailed its plans to enhance the decentralization of its protocol's core components to strengthen defense against censorship and fortify its overall system. Starknet’s protocol remains reliant on StarkWare for creating Layer 2 blocks, computing proofs, and initiating Layer 1 state updates to the Ethereum blockchain. The move to decentralize its system will involve varying levels of difficulty in decentralizing block production, the proving layer, and the process of Layer 1 state updates.
Starknet, the Ethereum layer 2 scaling platform, has set out proposals to enhance the decentralization of its core trio of elements for its zero-knowledge proof rollup solution (ZK-rollup). Starknet product manager and blockchain analyst, Ilia Volokh, shared exclusively with Cointelegraph the company's intention to tackle particular centralization aspects of their protocol. The aim is to strengthen resistance to censorship and fortify the overall system.
Operating as a validity rollup, Starknet uses zero-knowledge proof technology to aggregate transactions into rollups. Cryptographic proofs are then sent to Ethereum to ensure the security and certainty of layer 2 transactions. Starknet’s protocol, Volokh states, relies on StarkWare for forming L2 blocks, computing proofs, and making layer 1 state updates on the Ethereum blockchain.
However, he insists that StarkWare's control doesn't pose a problem as it cannot execute inappropriate state transitions or steal funds, even though its operation of the network is centralized. The Ethereum chain filters for falsified transactions or information as StarkWare remains a 'centralized gateway' for entering Starknet.
Volokh goes on to say that Starknet’s potential for inappropriate behaviour is only tangibly present if it refuses to pass on proofs to Ethereum or decides to bar certain transactions or proofs from specific entities. The decision to decentralize parts of the Starknet protocol, primarily, strives to tackle these two potential censorship sources in consensus-based systems.
The first is deliberate censorship and the second comes from non-sturdy, central points of failure that, if they cause a system or network breakdown, censor all network members. Starknet’s approach to resolving these issues is to have as diverse a user base as possible.
With regards to decentralizing Starknet’s system components, the level of difficulty varies. It includes decentralizing block production via its consensus protocol, decentralizing the proving layer responsible for proof production, and decentralizing the L1 state update process.
Volokh emphasizes the importance of decentralizing every component as remaining centralized denies any substantial progress. There are individual challenges associated with each component, but block production has been relatively straightforward, as it's a common requirement on all blockchain platforms.
More innovation has been needed to decentralize Starknet’s prover, with no rollup having a 'fully formed and practical solution', according to Volokh. All competing ZK-rollups aggregate transactions into proofs and post them to Ethereum, inheriting the platform's decentralization.
However, these systems all depend on central entities to form and prove blocks, making these layer 2's 'equally centralized'. Whether end users worry about the theoretical implications of L2’s centralized components is another discussion altogether. Starknet remains in the process of finalizing how these decentralized mechanics will be tested and integrated into its network.
Published At
11/16/2023 10:20:13 AM
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