Morph, an Ethereum Layer 2 for consumer applications, aims to build an ecosystem for value-driven Dapps. Morph plans to bridge the Web3 gap by moving real-world applications on-chain, creating a scalable and user-friendly Layer2 solution that makes the everyday use experience even better.

Morph protocol

The Morph protocol architecture mainly includes a modular and decentralized sequencer network And responsive validity proof, where responsive validity proof is a new verification method proposed by Morph, which combines the advantages of fraud proof and validity proof.

Modularity of Morph

Modularity is a term that describes an architectural design in which Layer1 can be divided into four modules: consensus, execution, data availability, and settlement. Layer2 can also be divided into several modules.

Morph has three important modules. Each role performs its own duties to ensure that the module runs seamlessly. Each role is composed of different components. These underlying components effectively collaborate with each other while retaining their respective sovereignty. The three modules are: Sequencer Network responsible for consensus and execution; Optimistic zkEVM responsible for settlement; Rollup responsible for data availability.

Morph's rollup strategy maximizes efficiency. A transaction contains multiple batches, and a batch contains multiple blocks. Additionally, with zk-proof functionality, the contents of the blocks are compressed to effectively manage the cost of Layer1 data availability.

Decentralized Sorter Network

In traditional Layer 1, miners in the proof-of-work system or validator nodes in the proof-of-stake system package and process transactions. Miners and nodes have the power to package, sort, and produce blocks.

Many current Layer2 designs employ a single role, unaffected by competition or staking costs, responsible for packaging and ordering all Layer2 transactions. This role is called the "Sequencer". Its responsibilities are not limited to ordering; it is also responsible for generating L2 blocks, regularly committing Layer 2 transactions and state changes to Layer 1, and resolving any potential challenges with submissions.

A centralized sequencer has sole control over the ordering and packaging of Layer 2 transactions, a monopoly that raises concerns. Moreover, centralized sorters will have problems such as single points of failure, excessive transaction review, and MEV monopoly.

Morph is different from other Rollup projects in that it has emphasized the establishment of a decentralized sorter network from the beginning. The architectural design focuses on improving efficiency and reducing costs. Morph's solution guarantees Layer 2’s fast execution and transaction confirmation while doing its best to be decentralized. Not only that, Morph also follows the principle that the network is scalable and easy to manage, and the design of the sequencer network prioritizes ease of maintenance, expansion, and updates. If one network function requires maintenance, it should not interfere with the operation of other functions. Additionally, the sequencer network should be adaptable and easily upgradeable as new, more efficient solutions emerge.

Responsive validity proof

The fraud proof mechanism used in the Optimistic Rollup project can be divided into There are two categories: non-interactive fraud proof and interactive fraud proof

Non-interactive fraud proof is that when the new state submitted by the sequencer is challenged, L1 executes all The corresponding L2 transaction generates a valid state, which is compared with the state submitted by the sequencer to determine whether there is fraud. In the event of fraud, non-interactive fraud proofs require L1 to completely re-execute the transactions in the relevant batch, resulting in high gas costs.

Interactive fraud proof is to solve the problem of non-interactive fraud proof, and introduces multiple rounds of interactive fraud proof. The core idea is to determine the specific instruction execution that caused the error through multiple rounds of interaction between the sequencer and the challenger (in EVM, transaction execution is divided into multiple EVM instructions to complete the state transition), and then confirm whether there is fraud through the following methods: Execute the corresponding instructions on L1. The benefit of this approach is that L1 only needs to perform tiny operations, which greatly reduces the computational cost. At the same time, since the execution of L1 is refined to the EVM instruction level, the problem of inconsistent results between L1 and L2 will be significantly reduced. But the problem is also obvious. As can be seen from the above description, the logic of interactive fraud prevention is much more complex than non-interactive, which means that the implementation is more difficult and has a longer challenge period (enough time needs to be reserved to ensure that all tasks can be completed). complex interactions).

Both of the above two proof methods have considerable shortcomings. Morph proposed a new verification method: responsive validity proof. It combines Optimistic Rollup with Validity Proof and utilizes ZK-Proof to verify the correctness of the state.

The advantage of responsive validation is that it can shorten the challenge period from 7 days to 1-3 days. Not only that, it can also greatly reduce L2 submission costs. Based on the validity proof, L2 does not need to contain most of the transaction bytes. Be more friendly to challengers. In addition to basic L2 state maintenance and identification, only the responsibility for triggering challenges is required, and the sequencer needs to prove itself correct (by generating and verifying the corresponding ZK-proof).

Project Roadmap

The project will be divided into four routes on a quarterly basis in 2024. The test network Sepolia will be launched in the first quarter, the test network Holesky will be launched in the second quarter and EIP-4844 integration and zkEVM upgrade will be carried out. The main network will be launched in the third quarter and the main network will be launched in the fourth quarter. Network update, currently on the second route.

Financing background

According to BlockBeats, on March 20, Ethereum L2 Morph announced the completion of a $19 million seed round of financing, led by Dragonfly Capital, Pantera Capital, Foresight Ventures, The Spartan Group, MEXC Ventures, Symbolic Capital, Public Works, MH Ventures and Everyrealm co-invested.

In addition, Morph also received US$1 million in angel round financing. Investors include founders from Polygon, Manta, Galxe, Sei, Nansen, Story Protocol and other projects , as well as KOLs such as Icebergy, MoonOverlord, NaniXBT, and Dingaling. Morph plans to use this round of financing to accelerate team building, increase developer incentives, expand marketing, etc.

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