Zero-knowledge rollup solution Era has recently integrated its first liquid staking protocol, Rocket Pool, into its network. This development comes after zkSync Era was initially launched on Ethereum in March, and now boasts a total of 58 projects operating on its layer-2 solution.
The integration with Rocket Pool grants users the ability to stake ether (ETH) on Era by holding rETH in their wallets, receiving staking rewards automatically, akin to the process on the mainnet. However, as evident with other novel technologies, incorporating Rocket Pool into zkSync Era has not been without its challenges.
Nick Ashley, Rocket Pool’s marketing manager, shared some of the issues the team has faced, which include staying true to their decentralized ethos while maintaining the protocol’s smooth operation. Some of these hurdles comprise shuttling validator statuses and balances between the Beacon Chain and the Execution Layer, monitoring protocol compliance, and calculating rewards. Despite these difficulties, Ashley stressed the importance of keeping a close watch on industry developments, such as distributed validator technology and zero-knowledge (zk) proof technology.
In light of the deployment on Era, Rocket Pool’s research team is currently exploring the potential advantages of zk proof technology in further decentralizing the competing oracle tasks. Ashley mentioned that possible benefits include lower costs, increased efficiency and reliability, and creating a more streamlined system. However, he also acknowledged the need for caution and maintaining a strong safety culture amidst rapid innovation.
Though the liquid staking derivative is now deployed on optimistic rollups Arbitrum and Optimism, Ashley remains cautious about expanding to new networks. When selecting a network for deployment, he said that “shared core values” are a significant deciding factor, emphasizing their commitment to helping the ecosystem grow and scale while remaining secure and decentralized. Despite being open to launching elsewhere, Rocket Pool currently has no immediate plans for such expansion.
In conclusion, zkSync Era’s integration of Rocket Pool marks a vital milestone in the journey towards a more secure and decentralized future. The cautious approach taken by the team underlines the importance of balancing innovation with the need to address potential risks and challenges that could arise.
Source: Blockworks
