What is Scroll L2? Uncovering the SCR airdrop hype

The fantastic thing about crypto is that developers are always building and coming up with new fixes for existing problems. As the Ethereum network grows, so to does demand for scalable and efficient solutions. Ethereum Layer-2 (L2) scaling solutions are therefore crucial in addressing the network's congestion and high transaction fees. One such L2 that's stepped up to the plate to solve the issue of scalability is Scroll. By leveraging zero-knowledge (ZK) rollup technology, Scroll promises to be a zkEVM L2 that marries Ethereum's robust security with lower latency and better scalability.

Curious as to how Scroll achieves this and what it has to do with the hotly anticipated Scroll airdrop of SCR tokens? In this article, we'll explore Scroll L2, its underlying technology, its role in the broader Ethereum ecosystem, and how it stands out from the crowded L2 landscape. By the end, you'll understand why Scroll is worth paying attention to as an L2 contender, especially if you're considering trading Scroll pre-market futures prior to the SCR airdrop.

TL;DR

• Scroll leverages ZK rollups, offering faster transaction speeds and lower fees compared to Ethereum mainnet, without compromising security. Its zkEVM enables seamless migration of existing DApps, minimizing code modifications and boosting developer adoption.

• Backed by a growing developer and user base, Scroll aims to be for everyone and everywhere as it innovates and attempts to attract decentralized applications (DApps) to its network thanks to Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatibility.

• Scroll's unique combination of ZK rollups, EVM compatibility, and a strong ecosystem positions it well for widespread use.

• SCR empowers users with governance, proving, and sequencing rights, driving Scroll's evolution towards a decentralized future.

Why do we need L2 solutions?

Before diving into the specifics of Scroll, we first have to understand the need for L2s. Though it's a revolutionary blockchain, Ethereum faces significant challenges in handling a high volume of transactions. As the user base grows, the Ethereum mainnet becomes congested, leading to increased gas fees and slower transaction times. While Ethereum’s upcoming upgrades promise to alleviate some of these issues, the need for a robust complementary solution remains.

This is where L2 solutions come in. L2 protocols like Scroll are designed to offload transaction data from the main Ethereum chain, processing them more efficiently while maintaining the security guarantees of Ethereum. These solutions make Ethereum more scalable without compromising on decentralization or security.

How L2 solutions ease congestion

L2 platforms like Scroll operate on top of Ethereum’s mainnet and handle transactions offchain, reducing the load on the Ethereum base layer. These transactions are bundled together and submitted to Ethereum, making the entire process more efficient and less costly for users. We'll explore the specifics of bundling in a later section.

Now that you're clear about why L2 solutions are essential in today's crypto space, let's look at what Scroll is in more depth.

What is Scroll?

Scroll is an L2 scaling solution for Ethereum that leverages ZK rollup technology to improve transaction throughput, reduce gas fees, and maintain Ethereum's security and decentralization. By integrating a zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine (zkEVM), Scroll is EVM-compatible. This enables seamless deployment of Ethereum DApps without the need for code modifications.

By processing transactions offchain and posting cryptographic proofs onchain, Scroll provides high scalability while preserving security. This architectural design enhances the Ethereum ecosystem, providing a more efficient and scalable infrastructure for developers and users while transforming the way DApps operate within a decentralized framework.

History of Scroll

Referencing its origins, Scroll’s journey as an L2 scaling solution began in 2021, driven by the Ethereum community's need for improved scalability without sacrificing security. Founded by Ye Zhang, Haichen Shen, and Sandy Peng, Scroll set out to address Ethereum’s growing transaction congestion and rising gas fees. The team of blockchain researchers and developers aimed to create an L2 solution that leverages ZK rollup technology, providing high throughput and security while remaining fully compatible with Ethereum’s ecosystem.In its early stages, Scroll collaborated closely with the Ethereum Foundation and prominent figures in the ZK rollup space, making sure that its zkEVM would maintain complete compatibility with existing Ethereum DApps. This was a pivotal move, as it allowed developers to migrate their projects to Scroll without needing to modify their code, setting the project apart from other L2 solutions.

By the end of 2023, Scroll’s mainnet was launched after rigorous testing, making it one of the most anticipated L2 solutions on the market. The platform quickly gained traction, backed by a growing community of developers and users drawn to its zkEVM compatibility, low fees, and robust security features. Scroll’s success represents a significant step toward Ethereum’s long-term scalability and broader adoption.

What makes Scroll unique?

If you're new to the Scroll ecosystem, you might wonder why this L2 scaling solution is generating so much excitement. Here are some key factors that set Scroll apart.

Full zkEVM compatibility

Scroll isn’t just EVM-compatible, but also utilizes a zkEVM, meaning developers can easily port their existing Ethereum DApps to Scroll with minimal changes. This zkEVM is critical because it effectively lowers the barrier to entry and enables Ethereum developers to migrate their existing applications to Scroll with little to no changes, all while benefiting from the speed and low costs of ZK Rollups.

ZK rollup architecture

Unlike solutions that rely on optimistic rollups, Scroll leverages ZK rollups. This means that instead of assuming transactions are valid by default, Scroll generates cryptographic validity proofs for each transaction, ensuring a higher level of security and immediate finality. ZK rollups also allow for faster transaction confirmation times compared to optimistic rollups, enhancing the user experience. We'll touch on the differences between ZK rollups and optimistic rollups later.

Scalability and efficiency

Scroll processes transactions in batches offchain and submits only the necessary proof data onchain. This reduces the load on the Ethereum mainnet, significantly lowering gas fees and improving transaction speeds. By leveraging ZK rollup technology, Scroll offers a scalable solution without compromising Ethereum’s security model, making it a highly efficient L2 option.

Strong community and developer ecosystem

With a growing number of core developers, Scroll benefits from a growing and active community of enthusiasts excited to grow the L2 platform. This strong community support fosters innovation, development, and the adoption of new DApps on its network. By attracting developer interest and contributions, Scroll is continuously evolving to meet the needs of the broader Ethereum ecosystem.

Potential for mass adoption

According to DefiLlama's data on Scroll, the project's total value locked has grown to a healthy $900 million at the time of writing. This puts it at a comfortable position above competing EVM-compatible L2s like Blast and Optimism. With demand for Ethereum L2 scaling solutions on the rise, Scroll's unique combination of zkEVM compatibility, ZK rollup technology, and its strong developer community positions it as a major player in the L2 landscape. While ZK rollup technology isn't new, Scroll’s approach to implementing the tech is certainly unique. Scroll's ability to address Ethereum’s scalability challenges while maintaining security and efficiency makes it an attractive option for both developers and users, increasing its potential for widespread adoption.

Understanding ZK rollups

To fully appreciate one of Scroll’s core strengths, it’s essential to dive deeper into ZK rollups — a key technology driving Scroll's popularity among Ethereum users. As one of the most advanced L2 scaling solutions, ZK rollups allow multiple transactions to be processed offchain, significantly reducing the burden on the Ethereum mainnet.

In essence, transactions are bundled together and rolled up into a single batch, which is then posted on-chain. What sets ZK rollups apart is their use of cryptographic validity proofs, guaranteeing that each batch of transactions is accurate and secure without the need for the Ethereum network to re-validate each individual transaction. This methodology ultimately allows Scroll to increase transaction throughput, minimize gas fees, and maintain Ethereum’s high security standards. Unlike other solutions like optimistic rollups, which assume transactions are valid unless challenged, ZK rollups provide immediate finality with no need for a waiting period, making them faster and more reliable.

ZK rollups vs optimistic rollups

If you're familiar with the L2 space, you'll realize that today's L2 scaling solutions mainly adopt two types of rollups, namely ZK rollups and optimistic rollups. The key difference lies in how they ensure the validity of transactions.

• Optimistic rollups prioritize ease of implementation but trade off immediate security and transaction speed by assuming all transactions are valid by default. Instead of verifying every transaction immediately, they rely on a challenge mechanism, where validators can contest incorrect transactions within a specific period. This can introduce delays, as finalizing transactions may take longer if disputes arise.

• In contrast, ZK rollups generate cryptographic proofs (validity proofs) that verify the correctness of every transaction before it's posted onchain. This means scaling solutions with ZK rollups provide immediate finality with no need for a challenge period, making them not only faster but also inherently more secure. Transactions processed via ZK rollups are validated upfront, reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring higher throughput.

To sum up, while optimistic rollups offer a more flexible but slower approach, ZK rollups excel in both speed and security, making them an ideal choice for users and developers seeking faster and more reliable L2 solutions.

How Scroll’s zkEVM is a game-changer for Ethereum compatibility

Beyond the general advantages of ZK rollups, Scroll’s zkEVM sets it apart as a truly groundbreaking solution for Ethereum scaling. While traditional ZK rollups offer enhanced throughput and security, Scroll’s zkEVM replicates the entire functionality of EVM in a zero-knowledge proof system. This means that developers can port their existing Ethereum DApps to Scroll with zero modifications to their code. By preserving the exact execution environment of Ethereum, Scroll not only improves scalability but also provides seamless EVM compatibility. This is a major advantage for Ethereum developers looking for a scalable L2 without sacrificing the ecosystem’s robust developer tools, smart contracts, or DApps.

Ultimately, this full compatibility ensures that users can benefit from Scroll’s faster transaction speeds and lower fees while interacting with the same Ethereum DApps they already know and trust. This makes Scroll an ideal solution for mass adoption in the Ethereum space.

Scroll mainnet and future developments

Since launching the Scroll mainnet during October 2023, many users are now wondering what's next for Scroll. The mainnet launch marked a significant moment in the Ethereum ecosystem, as Scroll’s zkEVM-based L2 solution began offering Ethereum users enhanced scalability, lower gas fees, and greater security. Thanks to its full EVM compatibility, the seamless transition for DApps from Ethereum to Scroll has also attracted considerable interest from both developers and users.

Scroll roadmap: what lies ahead

Following its mainnet launch, the Scroll team has outlined its roadmap plans for global distribution. The project aims to accomplish this by focusing on enhancing its L2 scalability solution and zkEVM technology. Here are some ways Scroll intends to roll out its plans.

• Security and performance: The project's immediate goals include improving the efficiency and performance of its zero-knowledge proofs to enable faster transactions and further reduce gas fees. This includes achieving instantaneous finality, less than a hundredth of a cent in transaction fees, and over 100 million in gas per second throughput.

• Decentralization: While some L2 scaling solutions may sacrifice decentralization in favor of more throughput, Scroll is planning to launch a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) and security council that will decentralize key decision-making and security responsibilities. After this, the team plans to decentralize the project's sequencer and prover infrastructure, allowing operators from anywhere in the world to maximize Scroll's network security guarantees.

• Multi-chain readiness: EVM-compatibility aside, the Scroll team is planning to build the best SDK to support future mass adoption. By developing a new network architecture designed to support interoperability and shared smart accounts, Scroll will effectively enable gas-free transactions for a seamless and multi-chain user and developer experience.

The Scroll airdrop

One of the most eagerly anticipated developments is the Scroll airdrop, which has generated significant excitement within the crypto community. As with many new blockchain projects, early users who participated in the Scroll Alpha testnet are hoping to benefit from potential rewards for their participation in the network's growth.

This previously involved typical airdrop farming steps, like receiving Goerli ETH from a testnet faucet, bridging it over to Scroll Alpha, joining the Scroll guild, and performing specific actions on Scroll. These include bridging, providing liquidity, and interacting with the different Scroll DApps.

The Scroll airdrop has become a focal point for many early adopters, as participating in early network testing and activities could result in token rewards once the mainnet is live. If you're looking to get involved with Scroll but are unfortunately missing out on the October 19, 2024 snapshot date, you can still check out Scroll pre-market futures on OKX that'll let you get in on the SCR trading action.

What is SCR?

SCR is the native governance token of the Scroll protocol. According to the team, the SCR token plays an important role in achieving Scroll's mission of building scalable and secure infrastructure while driving towards real-world adoption with global distribution.

Specifically, SCR enables Scroll to decentralize governance, provers, and sequencer in the development roadmap, and plays a critical long-term role in Scroll’s core protocol design. Post-SCR launch, the token opens up new design spaces and unlocks features that can improve user experience while granting Scroll users ownership over the Scroll protocol.

SCR distribution and tokenomics

Source: Scroll.io

SCR's overall tokenomics and distribution can be broken down into the following numbers.

• Total supply: 1,000,000,000 SCR

• SCR token launch date: October 22, 2024

• Ecosystem and growth: 250,000,000 SCR

• Scroll core contributors: 230,000,000 SCR (one year cliff, three year vesting period, fully unlocked by end of fourth year)

• Investors: 170,000,000 SCR (one year cliff, three year vesting period, fully unlocked by end of fourth year)

• Airdrops: 150,000,000 SCR (70,000,000 for first airdrop, 80,000,000 for future airdrops)

• Scroll DAO treasury: 100,000,000 SCR (20,000,000 SCR unlocked at launch, 80,000,000 SCR to be unlocked over four years)

With a vision like "Scroll is for everyone, everywhere", the Scroll team has certainly gone out of its way to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of SCR tokens. The allocation of SCR tokens to various stakeholders, including the community through airdrops, core contributors, investors, and the DAO treasury, ultimately reflects the team's commitment to decentralization and long-term sustainability of the Scroll ecosystem.

SCR utility

SCR is central to Scroll's governance and utility as it transitions towards a more decentralized structure. Its role extends across three critical rights that shape rollup protocol design.

Governance rights: The first step in decentralization will be through the Scroll DAO empowering the community to shape network decisions. By distributing governance power, Scroll protects the network from control by any centralized entity.

Proving rights: As governance matures, decentralizing the proving process is crucial. For long-term sustainability, the protocol must be designed to incentivize external parties to run provers and optimize for the best prover performance. SCR will therefore align the miner community, supporting long-term sustainability through an efficient prover network.

Sequencing rights: After the proving network is tested, the sequencer will be decentralized. Sequencers order transactions and produce L2 blocks, requiring strong censorship resistance. SCR will play an important role in sequencing mechanisms, making sure that sequencers provide finality guarantees for an optimal user experience.

Beyond these, SCR will have broader use cases. It will serve as a tool to unite the community, ecosystem projects, and contributors. As Scroll evolves, SCR’s involvement and utility as a token will expand, aligning stakeholders, the community, and ecosystem projects.

How to get involved in the Scroll ecosystem

For those interested in trading SCR, there are several avenues to explore. Based on the excitement behind the Scroll airdrop and initial mainnet launch, many expect SCR to make a big splash in the crypto trading space.

Trading Scroll pre-market futures

Pre-market futures allow traders to speculate on the future value of a project before its tokens are publicly available. By participating in these markets, traders can potentially make gains from early price movements, positioning themselves ahead of wider adoption. If you're crypto-curious or an experienced trader looking to capitalize on early-stage opportunities, exploring Scroll pre-market futures could be a lucrative option.

Participating in the Scroll airdrop

As previously mentioned, the Scroll airdrops provide early access to SCR tokens and are distributed for free to early supporters or community participants. By staying active in the Scroll ecosystem and fulfilling eligibility criteria, you can earn SCR tokens when the airdrop occurs. This is a great entry point for users looking to secure an early position in the project before SCR is listed on exchanges.

Staking

Once staking is introduced, holders of SCR tokens will be able to stake their assets to support the network. Staking not only secures the Scroll blockchain but also allows participants to earn passive gains in the form of staking rewards. As Scroll expands, staking opportunities are likely to increase, providing users with more chances to grow their holdings while contributing to the security and reliability of the network.

Validator participation

For those with technical skills and resources, becoming a Scroll validator offers the chance to directly participate in the network's consensus process. Validators help maintain network security and make sure that transactions are processed accurately. In return, they receive SCR rewards for their contributions. Joining as a validator also enhances Scroll’s decentralization, making the network more resilient and secure.

Joining the Scroll community

Engaging with Scroll's growing community on platforms like Discord, X, or GitHub allows users to stay informed about the latest developments and contribute to discussions about the project's future. By providing feedback, sharing ideas, or even helping with educational resources, community members play a key role in the project's growth and success. This involvement can also improve your chances of participating in early access programs that may include all-new features.

Final words and next steps

Scroll’s innovations as an L2 puts it in a strong position to contribute to Ethereum’s scalability goals. As Ethereum continues to evolve, Layer-2 solutions like Scroll will play a crucial role in making the network more accessible, scalable, and efficient. By leveraging ZK rollups and zkEVM, Scroll offers an efficient, secure, and developer-friendly L2 solution. While some naysayers may claim that the Layer-2 space is highly saturated, Scroll's unique approach and strong development team position it well for success.

Keen to learn more about other Layer-2 scaling solutions? Check out our guides to Base, Arbitrum, and Linea.