zkSync announced today that its Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible Layer 3 scaling solution called ‘Pathfinder’ prototype will be deployed to the public testnet in the Q1 of 2023, adding that its Layer 2 ZK rollup will be launched to Mainnet in less than 18 days according to the thread published by zkSync’s official Twitter account.
With 18 days to zkSync 2.0 on mainnet, we're thrilled to share another exciting milestone on the horizon: zkSync's Layer 3 Pathfinder will be released to the public testnet in Q1 2023.https://t.co/7HnibHn2dX
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— zkSync (∎, ∆) (@zksync) October 10, 2022
Pathfinder will provide developers and users with a trusted and customizable blockchain ecosystem and is powered by zkEVM, known as HyperChains. Its Layer 2 scaling solution, which was announced earlier this year, will be launched on the Mainnet on October 28, 2022.
The zkSync Layer 2 scaling solution offers cheaper and faster transactions than Layer 1, the Ethereum blockchain. It makes this possible by moving activity away from the main network while inheriting both its security and finality.
The Layer 2 (L2) will significantly reduce transaction gas fees by 99%, offering cheaper transaction costs than optimistic rollups without compromising user control or security as security, as the main Ethereum blockchain secures it. It is also faster as 2000 plus transactions will be processed per second on the layer compared to L1, where 14 transactions are processed per second.
In addition, it will allow users to effortlessly move their crypto assets between L1 and Layer 2 at any time, without delays.
zkSync L3 ‘Pathfinder’ to Launch on Testnet in Q1 of 2023
According to zkSync, the Pathfinder prototype will be launched on the public testnet in Q1 of 2023. HyperChains will power the L3, and it will provide unlimited scalability and customization to blockchains.
On Pathfinder, the interaction between fractal HyperChains will occur via native bridges, which will give ten times more security compared to non-native bridges that are prone to hacks.
In addition, performance on L3 is limitless, and it will make building on the blockchain more accessible to developers as it will support modern language for developers specialized in Rust, Swift, and C++, among others. zkSync further stated that:
developers will be able to choose from 3 data availability options all using the same proving infrastructure for their project. Developers can choose their own trade-offs between price, performance, and security.