Best Layer 2 Protocols for The Graph

Scroll is crafted specifically for Ethereum developers, serving as a fast, dependable, and scalable Layer 2 blockchain that enhances Ethereum's functionality and allows applications to expand seamlessly. With bytecode-level compatibility, Ethereum applications can transition to Scroll without complications and at much lower costs. Our commitment to open development fosters collaboration among value-driven contributors, resulting in more secure and well-architected systems. By championing a community-centric approach, Scroll aims to reshape and advance the roadmap of Ethereum. Utilizing cutting-edge zero-knowledge-proof technology, proven EVM frameworks, and thorough audits, Scroll guarantees that our platform is firmly established on security and reliability. Additionally, by focusing on code security through collaborative open-source efforts, Scroll safeguards both developers and users from potential vulnerabilities, fostering a robust ecosystem for innovation. This dedication to security and community involvement signals a promising future for Ethereum as we continue to grow and evolve.

Unichain serves as a DeFi-centric Layer 2 solution on Ethereum, specifically crafted to become a central hub for cross-chain liquidity. This decentralized finance platform enhances transaction efficiency and affordability, boasting exceptionally quick block times of just one second while aiming to slash transaction fees by a factor of twenty compared to standard Ethereum costs. Utilizing the OP Stack framework, it emphasizes scalability, fosters open-source advancements, and plans for future features such as Provable Block Building. Unichain is tailored to meet the needs of both developers and users within the DeFi ecosystem, offering comprehensive tools for creating liquidity pools and deploying smart contracts. Drawing from extensive experience in establishing the largest decentralized trading protocol globally, Unichain ensures that its technological innovations remain accessible as open-source, allowing other rollups to incorporate them seamlessly. Additionally, a robust network of full nodes actively oversees and authenticates the sequencer's activities, thereby enhancing transaction speeds and decentralization within the Unichain ecosystem. This commitment to transparency and community involvement positions Unichain as a leader in the evolving landscape of decentralized finance.

Rootstock stands out as an innovative Bitcoin sidechain that combines the advanced smart contract functionality of Ethereum with the unparalleled security of Bitcoin. Operating as an open-source platform, it utilizes Bitcoin's proof-of-work consensus mechanism, tapping into over 60% of Bitcoin's hashing power through merged mining to ensure its reliability. This synergy allows developers to create EVM-compatible smart contracts, paving the way for decentralized applications that benefit from the strength of Bitcoin's network security. The native currency of Rootstock, known as RBTC, is maintained at a 1:1 peg with Bitcoin, which simplifies interactions with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and dApps on the Rootstock ecosystem, facilitating processes like minting, swaps, and the payment of gas fees. Additionally, the PowPeg protocol plays a crucial role in guaranteeing secure and efficient two-way transactions between Bitcoin and Rootstock, significantly improving interoperability between the two networks. Within Rootstock's expanding ecosystem, users can engage in a variety of applications, including swapping and staking through platforms such as Sushi, optimizing yields with Beefy, and trading on Oku, demonstrating the platform's versatility and appeal. As a result, Rootstock offers a comprehensive environment that empowers developers and users alike to harness the full potential of blockchain technology.

Hemi represents a revolutionary modular Layer-2 blockchain framework that effectively combines the robust security of Bitcoin with the flexible programmability of Ethereum by integrating a complete Bitcoin node into an Ethereum-compatible environment, referred to as the Hemi Virtual Machine (hVM). This innovative setup empowers developers to create Solidity smart contracts that can directly utilize Bitcoin data without the need for bridges or synthetic assets. Through its unique Proof-of-Proof (PoP) consensus mechanism, Hemi provides “superfinality,” anchoring transactions within Bitcoin blocks to ensure high integrity and resistance to reorganizations, while also enabling rapid finality. Additionally, the Hemi Bitcoin Kit (hBK) equips developers with essential tools to craft authentic Bitcoin-driven DeFi solutions, including lending, staking, automated market makers, MEV systems, and multi-chain DAOs, leveraging actual BTC for collateral or yield generation. As a result, Hemi not only enhances the capabilities of decentralized finance but also fosters greater integration between two of the most significant blockchains in the ecosystem.