Linea, a Layer 2 ZK Rollup project backed by ConsenSys, introduced a major proposal to decentralize its protocol. Florian Huc, Linea’s software architect, presented the proposal, titled “Towards Linea’s Decentralization. ” It outlines key steps to transition its zkEVM to a permissionless system and implement decentralized governance.
The purpose is to provide the finality of blocks in both layer 2 and layer 1. In this plan, Linea’s sequencers will acknowledge Layer 2 finality, and Ethereum will be used for layer 1 finality. This will be achieved by posting data and proofs from L2 blocks on Ethereum.
One of the proposed changes concerns the swap of the present Layer 2 finality gadget with the proof-of-stake (PoS) idea. Validators will be required to lock their tokens and engage in the process of the QBFT consensus mechanism. Selfish validators will be punished, and some of the coins they locked into the network will be ‘burned.’
The proposal also includes the new on-chain auction system to determine the block proposers. All nodes can compete for the opportunity to propose the block, and the winner is the one who offers the most. The amount bid will be burned so as to minimise the overall number of tokens in circulation.
QBFT Consensus Powers Linea’s Decentralized Block Validation and Punishes Misconduct
In Linea’s new decentralized system, fast L2 finality is ensured by QBFT consensus. The system enables nodes to lock tokens and engage in a distributed Byzantine agreement consensus mechanism. This is important for accountability because misbehaving nodes can be detected and punished by slashing.
The proposal also states that any node can join the validator set provided that it staking is done with a minimum amount of tokens. Validators are selected randomly to make up committees responsible for block validation. If any validator misbehaves, it is punished, and some of its stake is destroyed.
Last but not least, the finalization process on Linea on Layer 1 will utilize the ZK proofs that will be posted on Ethereum in blobs. To sustain these costs, the block proposers need to allocate tokens to meet the cost of data availability and proof generation costs.
