Uma, co-founder of Succinct, discusses the development of ZK Rollups using SP1, a ZK VM that simplifies the process for developers by allowing them to write in Rust. She highlights the importance of ZK Rollups for enhancing interoperability within the Ethereum ecosystem, addressing challenges such as state transition functions and security vulnerabilities. SP1 enables easier customization and maintenance, significantly reducing the complexity of ZK Rollups. The implementation of SP1 has resulted in a cost-effective solution for generating ZK proofs for Ethereum block execution, with potential for further cost reductions through optimizations and the use of dedicated hardware. The talk emphasizes the collaborative nature of open-source development in achieving these advancements.
Ferran from Flashbots introduced the ArtBuilder, a new modular block building stack designed to enhance the efficiency and innovation of block building processes. The ArtBuilder leverages the Proposal Builder Separation (PBS) model, allowing builders to create blocks while proposers select the highest bids through a metboot relay. The R Builder, built on the Red framework, aims to simplify the development of custom sorting and merging algorithms without the complexities of forking and merging code. Key features include modular block building, backtesting capabilities, and a local deployment environment for easier testing. Future developments will focus on multi-chain support, improving block builder architecture, enhancing performance, and launching a block building competition to foster innovation in the space.
Emily, co-founder and CTO of Shadow, introduced ShadowRef, a tool that enables the addition of gasless logs, known as Shadow Logs, to existing smart contracts without increasing gas costs for users. Shadow Logs are generated in an off-chain execution environment, allowing developers to access deeper data coverage and simplify data pipelines without redeploying contracts. ShadowRef, an open-source implementation, allows users to generate these logs within their own nodes, promoting decentralization and verification. The architecture includes a shadow configuration, a shadow executor for block re-execution, and a custom RPC endpoint for fetching logs. Future developments aim to enhance data connectivity and create a decentralized registry for shadow contracts, enabling easier access to pre-written contracts for developers.