Hi!

I know this question is related to Polygon but I would like to have the Ethereum community’s point of view. After all, Polygon is a scalability solution for Ethereum and each one is making the other one better.

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When I read about Polygon, half of the time, it is described as a Layer 2 solution. However, upon closer examination, it appears that technically, it functions as a sidechain.

I understand the distinction between Layer 2 and sidechain at a high level: Layer 2 security relies on Ethereum, whereas a sidechain is a completely independant chain that manages its own security with its own set of validators and consensus.

Though, I don´t really understand:

  • what makes people think Polygon is a Layer 2. I also could ask “What part of Polygon architecture follows the Layer 2 pattern?” ;
  • what makes actually Polygon a sidechain. I also could ask “What part of Polygon architecture follows the sidechain pattern?”.

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I hope my questions are clear.

Thank your for reading and sharing your thoughts / explanations!

  • frank__costello@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Technically, they’re going to transition from an sidechain (which is basically a fancy word for L1) into a Validium, with settlement on Ethereum but data-availability external.

    There’s been debate over whether Validiums should be considered L2s, given that they don’t fully inherit Etheruem’s security.

    • scaleToTheFuture@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      There’s been debate over whether Validiums should be considered L2s, given that they don’t fully inherit Etheruem’s security

      In this regard, the zkEVM rollup is also not an L2 as it also doesn’t fully inherit Ethereum security