What is Ronin zkEVM? Exploring the Next Major Gaming L2

Blockchain technology has seen significant advancements over the past decade, with innovative solutions continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Another exciting development in this space is the introduction of Ronin’s zkEVM, an integration poised to transform the landscape of blockchain gaming. In this blog, we will learn more about zkEVM, and why it is such a game-changer for the Ronin network and its growing ecosystem.

Understanding ZKPs and EVMs

Zero-Knowledge Proofs

Zero-Knowledge Proofs are cryptographic methods that allow one party (the prover) to prove to another party (the verifier) that a statement is true, without revealing any information beyond the validity of the statement itself. This concept is akin to proving you know the location of a hidden treasure without disclosing its exact whereabouts. ZKPs ensure privacy and security, making them highly valuable in the blockchain world where data integrity and confidentiality are paramount.

Ethereum Virtual Machines

Ethereum Virtual Machines are the computing environments that execute smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. They are quasi-Turing-complete, meaning they can perform any computation given sufficient resources. EVMs form the backbone of decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts, facilitating complex transactions and automated processes within the blockchain ecosystem.

Smart contracts on Ethereum are written in high-level languages like Solidity or Vyper and then compiled into EVM bytecode, which the EVM interprets and executes. This bytecode is executed by every node in the Ethereum network, ensuring that smart contracts run in a decentralized and trustless manner. The EVM’s ability to handle complex logic and state transitions is crucial for the functionality of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, token standards like ERC-20 and ERC-721, and various other blockchain-based innovations.

By leveraging ZKPs, Ronin’s zkEVM can validate large volumes of transactions off-chain and then submit a succinct proof to the Ethereum mainnet, significantly reducing the amount of data that needs to be processed on-chain.

For instance, consider a scenario where a game on the Ronin network generates thousands of transactions per second. Processing all these transactions on Ethereum would be infeasible due to high gas costs and limited throughput. However, with zkEVM, these transactions can be bundled and processed off-chain, with only a proof of their validity being submitted to the Ethereum mainnet. This approach ensures that the security of Ethereum is inherited by Ronin while dramatically increasing transaction throughput and reducing costs.

The Genesis of Ronin

Ronin began as an Ethereum sidechain developed by Sky Mavis to support the immensely popular play-to-earn game, Axie Infinity. With over 1.5 million daily active users, Ronin quickly established itself as a leading blockchain in the gaming sector. However, as user numbers and transaction volumes soared, the need for a more scalable solution became evident.

Recognizing the limitations of a single sidechain, Sky Mavis has introduced the Ronin zkEVM, a solution leveraging Zero-Knowledge Proofs to enhance scalability and efficiency. Built using a modified version of the Polygon Chain Development Kit (CDK), the Ronin zkEVM allows for the deployment of custom Layer 2 (L2) chains atop the main Ronin network.

Key Features and Benefits

1. Scalability:
   • Current Capacity: Ronin can currently handle up to 40 million transactions per day.
   • Future Potential: With zkEVM, this capacity can scale to hundreds of millions or even billions of transactions daily, addressing the growing demand from an expanding user base.
2. Enhanced Privacy and Security:
   • Validators can authenticate transactions without accessing the underlying data, ensuring user privacy while maintaining transaction integrity.
3. Economic Incentives:
   • Developers must stake 250,000 RON (~$600K) to launch their own zkEVM chains. This economic activity boosts staking rewards for validators, fostering a robust and incentivized network.
4. Seamless Cross-Chain Interactions:
   • A cross-chain relayer system allows players to interact across different Ronin ecosystem chains without manual transactions, enhancing user experience and interoperability.

Advanced Gaming Ecosystem

Ronin’s zkEVM architecture not only caters to current needs but also anticipates future demands, particularly from fully on-chain games. These games, which operate entirely within the blockchain, can now thrive without concerns of network congestion. This opens up new possibilities for game developers to create more interactive and immersive experiences.

These titles are potential contenders to launch their own game-specific networks, leveraging the scalable and efficient infrastructure provided by Ronin’s zkEVM.

Future Roadmap: Polygon’s AggLayer

Looking ahead, Sky Mavis is exploring the implementation of Polygon’s AggLayer technology to further enhance the Ronin ecosystem. AggLayer uses zero-knowledge proofs to create a unified Bridge scalable environment, enabling seamless cross-chain transactions with atomic composability. This would make the growing network of L2s on Ronin feel more like a single unified chain, offering a smooth and cohesive user experience.

Closing Thoughts

Ronin’s zkEVM approach represents a significant leap forward in the on-chain gaming industry. The integraton of Zero-Knowledge Proofs with Ethereum Virtual Machines will help Ronin to handle unprecedented transaction volumes, ensure user privacy, and provide robust economic incentives. This innovation will not only enhance the current gaming experience but also pave the way for future developments in blockchain gaming,

In the words of Jeff Zirlin, co-founder of Sky Mavis, “At 1.5 million daily active users, Ronin is the largest gaming blockchain globally. Currently, Ronin can handle up to 40 million transactions per day, but we are preparing for a future where we handle 400 million or even four billion transactions, and zkEVM is key to this.”