Overview of DA Solutions and Projects

Data Availability (DA) is an important challenge faced by Layer 2, requiring a balance between security and cost. Currently, there are mainly two types of DA solutions: on-chain and off-chain.

On-chain Solution: Proto-Danksharding

Proto-Danksharding (EIP-4844) is a solution for reducing DA costs on Ethereum. It introduces a new Blob transaction format that allows L2 to temporarily store data on the Ethereum consensus layer at a lower cost. This turns Ethereum into a real-time bulletin board, where data is periodically deleted, and L2 must back up the data themselves. Proto-Danksharding is expected to go live in the Ethereum upgrade at the end of this year.

Off-chain Solutions

Off-chain solutions no longer rely on Ethereum as the DA layer, but seek more economical methods. Depending on the degree of decentralization and security, they can be divided into the following categories:

Validium

Validium is a highly centralized DA solution. Transaction data is managed by centralized operators, and while the costs are extremely low, the risks are also the highest. If the operator encounters issues, user funds may be irretrievable.

Data Availability Committee ( DAC )

DAC is similar to a consortium blockchain, composed of multiple trusted nodes that maintain copies of transaction data. It is safer than a single operator, but small-scale DACs still carry risks.

Volition

Volition is a hybrid mode that allows users to choose whether to put single transaction data on-chain. This balances flexibility and security.

Universal DA Solution

Some projects like EigenDA, Celestia, and Avail provide general DA services, not limited to the Ethereum ecosystem. They typically have independent validation nodes and consensus mechanisms to provide public chain-level security.

Main DA Project Introduction

StarkEx

StarkEx is a scalability framework developed by StarkWare, providing three DA modes: on-chain, Validium, and Volition. Several well-known projects such as dYdX and Immutable are using it.

zkPorter

zkPorter is an off-chain DA solution proposed by the zkSync team. It is an independent chain that maintains security through PoS consensus. However, the current development progress is unclear.

EigenDA

EigenDA, developed on EigenLayer, is a DA middleware. It gains security through ETH restaking and has multiple L2 projects integrated.

Celestia

Celestia is a general-purpose DA public chain with an independent PoS consensus. Although the cost is relatively high, the security is stronger. The recently announced airdrop has attracted widespread attention.

Avail

Avail originally belonged to the Polygon ecosystem and is now operating independently. Its technology is relatively complex, and the mainnet is expected to launch in Q1 2024. The second phase of the testnet is currently underway.

Summary

Ethereum is working to reduce the DA costs of L2 through EIP-4844. This puts greater competitive pressure on off-chain DA projects, which may need to seek new competitive advantages beyond low costs in the future. For users, there may also be important projects on the DA layer, similar to Optimism and Arbitrum, that are worth paying attention to.