In a recent interview with Cointelegraph, Brendan Farmer, co-founder of Polygon, discussed the Polygon Aggregate Layer (AggLayer) and its functionalities. With a background in mathematics and cryptography, Farmer provided insights into the implementation of AggLayer and its benefits in reducing latency and securing cross-chain transactions.
According to Farmer, the AggLayer addresses the issue of fragmentation in Ethereum layer 2s (L2s), where multiple L2s like Optimism and zkSync are unable to meet the global demand for blockspace. Currently, when assets are bridged, they are wrapped into synthetic versions on the destination chain, which is not ideal. The AggLayer aims to provide a solution by enabling chains to safely use a shared bridge without relying on layer 1 (L1) blockchains. This reduces the time taken to finalize a block from 12 to 19 minutes to a much lower latency.
The Chain Development Kit (CDK) plays a crucial role in the AggLayer ecosystem. It acts as building blocks that allow anyone to create their own chain, while the AggLayer seamlessly integrates them into a unified chain-like experience. The CDK also offers developers the flexibility to utilize different execution environments.
Establishing the AggLayer comes with its challenges, particularly in ensuring safe interoperability. Unlike other ecosystems, the AggLayer doesn’t require revenue or profit sharing to use the technology, making it inherently challenging to guarantee safety.
Looking ahead to 2025, the AggLayer is expected to provide significant use cases and improvements. It has the potential to lower costs and scale decentralized finance (DeFi) to accommodate 100 million users, which is currently not feasible on existing chains. Additionally, the AggLayer enables the development of new applications by offering different virtual machine (VM) or state models. This flexibility allows developers to build innovative solutions that were previously limited by the constraints of existing chains.
When asked about his interest in zero-knowledge (ZK) technology, Farmer mentioned his passion for math and cryptography. He was drawn to the idea of using math to address privacy concerns, particularly after the Snowden leaks. ZK technology offers the ability to reclaim privacy in financial transactions and internet usage, which Farmer believes will be crucial in navigating financial privacy in the coming decades.
Overall, the AggLayer represents a significant development in the blockchain industry, providing solutions to existing challenges and unlocking new possibilities for developers and users alike.