Is Polygon Labs pivoting away from its Edge framework to focus on the Polygon CDK? This is the question on many minds as the company announced it will no longer accept contributions to its Edge framework, also known as Supernets. Instead, Polygon Labs will concentrate its efforts on the Chain Development Kit (CDK), a tool designed for the development of Layer 2 ZK-Rollups networks.
Why the Shift from Edge to Polygon CDK?
Polygon Edge was initially developed as an open-source tool under the Apache License 2.0 to facilitate the creation of custom blockchain networks compatible with Ethereum. However, over the past year, the company’s development priorities have shifted. Polygon Labs’ new focus is on the Polygon CDK, which allows for the creation of networks using zero-knowledge proofs that build on top of other blockchains.
Networks developed using the CDK are expected to be interoperable within a broad network. This is a feature that the Edge framework does not natively support and would require significant modifications to achieve.
Polygon CDK: The Preferred Tool for Layer 2 Networks
Several projects, including Immutable, OKX, Astar, Canto, Palm Network, Aavegotchi, IDEX, Nubank, and Manta Network, have expressed interest in or are planning to use the Polygon CDK for the development of their Layer 2 networks. The Polygon CDK ecosystem, with its web of ZK-powered L2s, aims to create a single unified pool of liquidity.
Future Plans for Polygon Labs
Currently, Polygon utilizes two primary scaling methods: a sidechain called Polygon PoS and a zero-knowledge rollup network, Polygon zkEVM. A significant development focus for Polygon Labs is the 2.0 upgrade, an ecosystem comprising multiple chains enhanced with zero-knowledge capabilities.
Scheduled for release in 2024, this ecosystem, powered by the CDK, aims to integrate Layer 2 chains based on ZK rollups and facilitate cross-chain communication. This is an ambitious project that could significantly influence the future of blockchain networks.
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