Metis vs Espresso：哪种去中心化排序器代表未来？
Original author: Haotian (X: @tmel0211)
On one side is @Metis L2, which is building a decentralized Sequencer despite all difficulties. On the other side is @EspressoSys, which is developing a shared Sequencer solution based on modularity. Some people may ask, in order to realize the decentralization of the sequencer, Metis is trying to automatic What is the difference between Yingdian and Espressos outsourcing module?
In my opinion, the decentralization of the Sequencer is only a prerequisite for the formation of layer 2 basic infra. The real challenge lies in the construction of a decentralized ecosystem. Come on, let me talk about my understanding.
Recently, Metis is promoting the decentralization process of Sequencer, and community testing is also in full swing. At one time, the TPS of the Metis main network was raised to Ethereum Top 3.
This is actually just a stress test of the decentralized Sequencer technology layer to ensure that it can operate stably after its official launch, such as the multi-Sequencer rotation mechanism, single Sequencer evil punishment design, Sequencer MEV issues, Sequencer miner ecological participation issues, etc.
1) POS block production rights: Metis has introduced a Sequencer pool. Sequencer nodes need to Stake 20,000 Metis to produce blocks in turn. The higher participation threshold ensures the node’s operational capabilities and repair capabilities when special communication conditions occur. It also Deterrence comes from the possibility of a single node doing evil.
2) Community stress test: After launching the Sepolia test network, Metis launched a community stress test in January. Currently, the test network has conducted more than 600 sequencing rotations and over 3 million transactions to test the stability of the Sequencer rotation mechanism. sex, paving the way for the official launch of the decentralized Sequencer mainnet.
3) MEV processing: If the Sequencer is centralized, it can perform MEV clipping operations through arbitrary sorting. However, in a decentralized environment, an independent node is needed to monitor the sorting and block-producing behavior of each Sequencer. Metis has a dedicated L2 Ranger node. Sampling checks are performed on the blocks generated by the Sequencer to prevent the order of transactions from being reversed.
However, purely relying on random inspections to supervise and punish is somewhat passive. In the later stages of the MEV confrontation, the Ranger node can become a special MEV pipeline similar to MEV-Boost, and control the out of control of MEV in the way of MEV?
4) LSD pledge mining ecological implementation: @ENKIProtocol The LSD protocol is about to be launched in the Metis ecosystem. Its goal is to solve the problem of circulation and application of Reward after mining by Sequencer miners in the entire decentralized economy. It is obviously the main output source of $METIS. , whether miners are willing to pledge their tokens for lending and mining is very important to the subsequent development of the entire $METIS ecosystem.
In short, in my opinion, the technical issues of decentralized Sequencer are not complicated. What is rare is a set of robust decentralized ecological construction, support, benefit distribution and incentive models behind it.
It should be said that technical issues are only the tip of the iceberg of Sequencers decentralization issues. A series of comprehensive services and experiences centered around market, ecology, operations, users, etc. are the highlight of the decentralized Sequencer project.
The above describes the challenges existing in the advancement of Metiss decentralized sequencer. Based on this, lets sort out Espreesos shared sequencer solution, which will be easy to understand.
To put it simply: @EspressoSys provides a modular Sequencer shared component for Rollups, which is equivalent to interspersing a Sequencer Mempool preprocessing process.
Originally, when users called RPC to request sending transactions, they would be submitted directly to the Sequencer processing center. Now, they can first share the Sequencer center through Espresso, and Espresso will process these transaction sorting requests in batches, and then return the status to layer 2 after batching.
Espresso has a Hotshot equity proof system, which is equivalent to Metiss POS staking system, to ensure the decentralization of Sequencer and the design of corresponding reward and punishment mechanisms; moreover, Espresso will most likely cooperate with Eigenlayer and outsource Ethereums Validators to provide security consensus. In addition, its Espresso DA function is also a highlight.
Interestingly, if a user submits a cross-chain request, it must go through Espressos shared sequencer. In theory, Espresso can realize transaction status conversion in the Mempool environment, thereby reducing transaction losses in cross-chain submission status and mainnet interaction. (There will be a lot of room for lightweight imagination)
In short, Espresso and Celestia play in a similar way. They abstract the decentralized Sequencer requirements that both Layer 2 need into a shared sequencer commodity and continue to penetrate into the Layer 2 ecosystem in a modular and highly adaptable manner.
This is a clever approach based on modular thinking. Due to its advantages such as low cost, speed and efficiency, it is bound to attract a large number of layer 2 users who demand one-click chaining.
However, in my opinion, modularization is a double-edged sword. Moderate modularization will significantly reduce development costs, but if it is excessive, it will lead to a lack of source vitality in subsequent ecological development:
1) The lightweight attributes of modular components can help Layer 2 developers quickly start chains at low cost. When DA capabilities and Sequencers become outsourced commodities, the number and replacement speed of Layer 2 chains will also accelerate.
I have written before that when the number of layer 2 projects emerges in batches, comprehensive soft power such as brand, market, and ecology will become the core of layer 2. At that time, the key will be whether a layer 2 will be provided with DA by Ethereum, whether there will be an independent and reliable decentralized Sequencer, and whether there will be a mature, stable and growth-potential ecosystem. The modularization of components will accelerate the hierarchical differentiation of the layer 2 market, and the head layer 2 and the middle and tail layer 2 will take completely different paths; (OP and ZK can use modularization to drive the implementation of their Stack strategy)
2) After the DA capability is outsourced, if the Sequencer is outsourced, the Prover system will also be outsourced in the future. The only trump cards that layer 2 can compete with are marketing and operation and maintenance.
There is a paradox here. It is easy to understand that DA has the ability to abandon Ethereum and choose low-cost Celestia. If layer 2 hands over the core Sequencer tax collection rights to outsourcing, how should handling fees be collected, and how should ecological projects be encouraged and supported? There will be A series of subsequent operation and maintenance problems.
This kind of layer 2 is very much like an empty shelf. It looks glamorous on the surface, but in fact it lacks an independent decentralized economic framework. It is difficult to build a market ecology. For example, you can use molds to quickly assemble a set of mobile homes. But if you want to build a 100-meter building, give up the steel frame structure and try using molds again?
Of course, I do not deny that modular paradigms such as Celestia and Espresso bring potential variable space to the entire layer 1 and layer 2 ecology. They lower the technical threshold and can make the market ecosystem very large and the chain If there are more, innovation entities will be enriched, and the market will be able to produce some high-quality projects. There must be a difference in value and meaning, short-term or long-term.
In the final analysis, no matter how fast the chain launch speed of layer 2 is, the ones that survive must be the super Mass Adoption economy that can continue to bring effective expansion of users, projects, funds, etc. to the main network.
