Scroll

Introduction to Scroll

Scroll is a zkEVM Layer 2 solution that provides Ethereum scaling through zero-knowledge proofs while maintaining bytecode-level EVM compatibility. This means developers can deploy existing Ethereum smart contracts on Scroll without any modifications—a significant achievement that reduces migration friction.

Co-founded by Sandy Peng and Ye Zhang, Scroll emphasizes native EVM equivalence over adapted compatibility. The project has been developed through extensive collaboration with the Ethereum community, including contributions to the zkEVM design process.

The zkEVM Vision

Why Native Compatibility Matters

Development experience:

• No code changes needed
• Same tools work
• Existing audits apply
• Minimal migration cost

Types of zkEVM

Compatibility levels:

• Type 1: Fully Ethereum equivalent
• Type 2: EVM equivalent (Scroll)
• Type 3: Almost EVM equivalent
• Type 4: High-level language compatible

Scroll’s Approach

Type 2 zkEVM:

• Bytecode compatible
• Same opcodes
• Ethereum tooling
• Minor differences only

How Scroll Works

Rollup Architecture

Layer 2 design:

• Transactions executed on Scroll
• State compressed with ZK proofs
• Proofs verified on Ethereum
• Security inherited from L1

ZK Proof Generation

Proving process:

• Transactions batched
• ZK proof generated
• Proof verified on Ethereum
• State finalized

Decentralization

Network components:

• Sequencer (transaction ordering)
• Prover network (proof generation)
• Verifier (Ethereum L1)
• Progressive decentralization

Technical Specifications

Metric	Value
Type	zkEVM Rollup
EVM Compatibility	Type 2 (bytecode)
Finality	Hours (proof time)
Gas Savings	Significant
Security	Ethereum L1
Proof System	PLONK-based

The SCR Token

Launch

Token introduction:

• Airdrop to users
• Governance utility
• Ecosystem development
• Community ownership

Utility

SCR serves multiple purposes:

• Governance: Protocol decisions
• Staking: Future sequencer/prover
• Ecosystem: Development incentives
• Fees: Potential fee usage

Tokenomics

Distribution:

• Community allocation
• Contributors and team
• Ecosystem development
• Foundation reserve

Technical Architecture

Sequencer

Transaction processing:

• Orders transactions
• Executes state transitions
• Creates batches
• Submits to provers

Prover Network

Proof generation:

• Decentralizing over time
• Hardware requirements
• Proof marketplace
• Efficiency improvements

Bridge

Asset transfers:

• Native bridge to Ethereum
• Withdraw via proof
• Security guaranteed
• Third-party options

Ecosystem Development

DeFi Protocols

Financial applications:

• DEXs
• Lending protocols (part of DeFi)
• Stablecoins
• Yield platforms

Developer Migration

Ethereum projects:

• Easy deployment
• Existing contracts work
• Familiar tooling
• Growing ecosystem

Sessions Campaign

User incentives:

• Points program
• Activity rewards
• Community building
• Airdrop mechanism

Competition and Positioning

vs. Other zkEVMs

zkEVM	Type	Approach
Scroll	Type 2	Bytecode compatible
zkSync Era	Type 4	Custom compiler
Polygon zkEVM	Type 2	Bytecode compatible
Linea	Type 2	Bytecode compatible

vs. Optimistic Rollups

Aspect	zkEVM (Scroll)	Optimistic
Proof	Validity proof	Fraud proof
Finality	Faster (when proven)	7 days
Cost	Higher proving	Lower
Security	Instant verification	Challenge period

Market Position

Current standing:

• Growing TVL
• Community support
• Technical credibility
• Competitive landscape

Challenges and Criticism

Proving Costs

Technical overhead:

• ZK proofs expensive
• Hardware requirements
• Centralization pressure
• Cost improvements ongoing

Decentralization

Current state:

• Centralized sequencer
• Limited prover set
• Progressive plans
• Timeline uncertainty

Competition

Market dynamics:

• Many zkEVM options
• Optimistic rollups established
• Developer attention split
• Ecosystem fragmentation

Finality Time

Proof generation:

• Hours for ZK proof
• Longer than optimistic claim time
• UX considerations
• Improvement ongoing

Recent Developments

SCR Token Launch

Major milestone:

• Airdrop completed
• Governance beginning
• Community ownership
• Ecosystem development

Network Growth

Adoption metrics:

• TVL growth
• Transaction volume
• Developer deployment
• User activity

Technical Improvements

Protocol development:

• Proving efficiency
• Cost reduction
• Feature additions
• Performance optimization

Future Roadmap

Development priorities:

• Decentralization: Sequencer and prover
• Performance: Faster proving
• Cost: Fee reduction
• Ecosystem: Protocol growth
• Features: Technical expansion

Conclusion

Scroll represents a methodical approach to zkEVM development, prioritizing native EVM compatibility and community collaboration. The Type 2 bytecode compatibility significantly reduces migration friction for Ethereum developers.

The crowded zkEVM landscape means Scroll must differentiate through execution quality, ecosystem development, and community building rather than pure technical novelty. The progressive decentralization roadmap will be important for long-term credibility.

For Ethereum developers seeking scaling with minimal changes and for users wanting ZK security with EVM familiarity, Scroll provides accessible Layer 2 infrastructure. Success depends on ecosystem growth and continued technical advancement in a competitive market.