zkBridge NEP-3: Integrate Merlin Chain with zkBridge

zkBridge NEP-3: Integrate Merlin Chain with zkBridge

Category: Technical Proposal

I. Abstract:

Polyhedra currently supports integration of zkBridge with a number of third party blockchains and ecosystems such as AltLayer, Alchemy Bridge, Arbitrum, and others. 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. Central to its 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.

II. 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.

III. 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.

IV. Proposal:

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

Project Name: Merlin Chain

Reasons to pursue integration include:

1. Merlin Chain has established itself as the top Bitcoin layer 2 and supporter of the Bitcoin ecosystem
2. Merlin Chain has an growing ecosystem of 100+ applications that could benefit from interoperability
3. Merlin Chain has expressed significant interest in zero-knowledge and the advantages it brings to interoperability
4. Merlin Chain has a strong and growing community that would be additive to the Polyhedra community

Description: Merlin Chain is a Bitcoin Layer 2 that integrates ZK-Rollup network, decentralized oracle network, and on-chain BTC fraud proof modules. Merlin Chain is committed to empowering Bitcoin's native assets, protocols, and products on Layer 1 through its Layer 2 network, to Make Bitcoin Fun Again.

Project’s Social Media: Website: https://merlinchain.io/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MerlinLayer2 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/merlinchain

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.