zkBridge NEP-8: Integrate Astar Network with Polyhedra zkBridge

Category: Technical Proposal

I. Proposal:

This is a proposal to integrate the following project with zkBridge:

Project Name: Astar Network

Reasons to pursue integration include:

1. Astar Network serves as a gateway for enterprises, entertainment, and gaming projects in Japan and globally, driving Web3 adoption to billions.

2. Astar's expanding ecosystem of projects can benefit from enhanced interoperability with other chains using zkBridge, enabling seamless cross-chain data and asset interaction.

3. Astar is backed by Polkadot and Ethereum, providing developers with tools to create innovative cross-layer applications that combine the strengths of these ecosystems.

4. Astar has a strong community and dedicated technical support, which would add value to the Polyhedra community by contributing to a secure and cost-effective decentralized ecosystem.

5. Seamless integration of ASTR with cross-chain infrastructure, enabling broader accessibility and participation across Astar Network, Soneium, and Optimism’s Superchain ecosystem.

Description: Astar Network is an interoperable blockchain platform for the Polkadot and Ethereum ecosystems, supporting both Wasm and EVM smart contracts. It connects individuals to Web3 through entertainment, blockchain development, business development, and community events. As a special launch partner of Soneium, Astar will create new opportunities for its community while driving Web3 adoption globally.

Project’s Social Media: Website: https://astar.network/ Twitter: https://x.com/AstarNetwork Discord: https://discord.com/invite/astarnetwork Telegram: @PlasmOfficial Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/AstarNetwork

II. Rationale:

zkBridge provides users with a range of options and greater asset diversity to bridge across various L1s and L2s. By expanding the supported blockchains, it allows more users worldwide to be able to access the functionalities and features of, and participate in the growth and development of, the Polyhedra Network. Candidates for future integrations will be selected by the community. Based on feedback received from ecosystem members, the community will consider multiple criteria, including:

1. Global reach, recognition from major industry players, and community interest
2. Focus on adhering to regulatory standards and ensuring security,
3. Interest in zero-knowledge proofs
4. Potential for enhancing the network functionality, applications, and user interactions to set a new standard for secure, efficient, and user-friendly cross-chain transactions
5. If this would foster greater participation and collaboration within the blockchain ecosystem
6. Enhanced flexibility and efficiency, decentralization and system integrity across these blockchain networks.

III. Abstract:

Polyhedra Network’s zkBridge represents a significant advancement in the blockchain industry, offering a trustless, efficient, and secure interoperability protocol across different Layer-1 and Layer-2 networks. Polyhedra currently supports integration of zkBridge with a number of third party blockchains and ecosystems such as AltLayer, Alchemy Bridge, Arbitrum, and others. Central to the zkBridge security model is the integration of zero-knowledge proofs, which offer robust security that is not dependent on external factors and significantly reduce the complexities and costs associated with on-chain verifications. Other assets could be supported and utilized to grow the utility of the network.

IV. Additional Background:

On April 4, 2023, zkBridge launched on ten layer-1 and layer-2 blockchain networks including Polygon, Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, and Cosmos. zkBridge is the first trustless, efficient, secure, and universal cross-chain bridge with advanced zero-knowledge proof technology. zkBridge uses zkSNARKs to enable a prover to efficiently convince the receiver chain that a certain state transition happened on the sender chain. zkBridge consists of a block header relay network and an updater contract. zkBridge uses a 2-layer recursive proof system to achieve fast proof generation and low on-chain proof verification cost to support cross-chain applications. As of June 2024, zkBridge has supported more than 30 layer-1 and layer-2 networks, and successfully verified more than 20 million cross-chain transactions.

V. Threshold to Approve:

1. More than 50,000 of total Staking Power (SP) cast as votes, and
2. More Yes votes than No votes.