Data Availability Solution Overview

When discussing the data availability issue faced by Layer 2, (DA), we found a trade-off between security and cost. To address this, the industry has proposed two types of DA solutions: on-chain and off-chain.

On-Chain Solutions: Proto-Danksharding

Proto-Danksharding(EIP-4844) is a solution for Ethereum to reduce DA costs. It introduces a new Blob transaction format, allowing L2 to temporarily store data on the Ethereum consensus layer at a lower cost. This turns Ethereum into a real-time bulletin board, where data will be deleted after a period of time, and L2 needs to back up all data on its own. Proto-Danksharding is expected to go live in the Ethereum Cancun upgrade at the end of this year.

Off-chain Solutions

Off-chain solutions no longer rely on Ethereum as the DA layer, but seek more economical ways. Depending on the differences in decentralization and security, they can be divided into four types:

1. Validium: Managed off-chain data by centralized operators, good privacy protection but high risk.

2. Data Availability Committee ( DAC ): Composed of multiple trusted nodes to reduce single point of failure risk, but small-scale DACs still have security vulnerabilities.

3. Volition: Mixed mode, users can choose whether to put a single transaction's data on-chain, partially inheriting Ethereum's security.

4. General DA Solution: Not limited to the Ethereum ecosystem, it can provide services for multiple chains, enhancing security through its own verification nodes and consensus mechanism.

Introduction to DA Layer Projects

The DA layer is currently in its early stages, with some popular projects including:

• StarkEx: Provides multiple DA modes for specific applications, such as dYdX and Immutable.

• zkPorter: An independent DA chain proposed by the zkSync team, maintained securely through PoS consensus, but there has not yet been clear progress.

• EigenDA: Developed based on EigenLayer, it obtains security through ETH re-staking, with existing projects like Mantle planning to integrate.

• Celestia: A general-purpose DA public chain with independent validation nodes and PoS consensus, offering high security.

• Avail: Originating from Polygon but now independent, operating as a DA public chain, with a relatively complex technology, the mainnet is expected to launch in Q1 2024.

Outlook

With Ethereum advancing EIP-4844, off-chain DA projects will face greater competitive pressure. In addition to focusing on low costs, they also need to explore other competitive advantages. For users, it is worth paying attention to whether large projects similar to Optimism and Arbitrum will emerge in the DA layer.