• Unichain releases its roadmap to mainnet.

• EigenLayer launches slashing on testnet.

• Chainlink introduces the Chainlink Runtime Environment.

Unichain, Uniswap's DeFi-focused Layer 2 built on the OP Stack, announced its roadmap to mainnet, targeted for early 2025. The rollout will follow a phased approach, including testing, infrastructure provider access, public mainnet launch, and experimental testing for the Unichain Validation Network. Unichain was first introduced in October 2024 with the launch of the Unichain Sepolia Testnet. Since its debut, the Unichain testnet has processed over 50 million transactions and deployed 4 million contracts. On January 6, 2025, Unichain Sepolia will upgrade to permissionless fault proofs. The Unichain mainnet will follow with live permissionless fault proofs from day one. Unichain will feature native Superchain Interoperability, cross-chain intents, and 1-second confirmation times.

Slashing on EigenLayer is now live on the Holesky Testnet as part of the proposed ELIP-002 slashing upgrade. Slashing enables Actively Validated Services (AVSs) to enforce accountability by penalizing Operators for faults such as incorrect computation or liveness failures. The upgrade introduces two critical enforcement mechanisms. First, Unique Stake Allocation allows Operators to allocate specific portions of their stake, isolating slashing risks and ensuring responsibilities are clearly defined. Second, Operator Sets enable AVSs to organize groups of Operators with customized slashing conditions and targeted task assignments. EigenLayer slashing is anticipated to launch on mainnet in late Q1 2025.

Chainlink introduced the Chainlink Runtime Environment (CRE), a runtime execution engine designed to enable the creation of custom workflows using Decentralized Oracle Network (DON) capabilities on the Chainlink Platform. With its modular architecture, CRE allows developers to combine oracle capabilities using familiar programming languages and compiling it into WASM for execution. CRE is interoperable and facilitates seamless interactions across multiple blockchains, offchain systems, and APIs. Developers and financial institutions can now sign up for early access to the CRE release.

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• Coinbase raises gas limit on its validators.

• Swellchain goes live on mainnet.

• EigenLayer awards 1m EIGEN to AltLayer.

• Mantle transitions to ZK with Succinct.

Coinbase has increased the gas limit on its validators to 36 million, aligning with recent discussions within the Ethereum community about increasing the limit to enhance network capacity. Discussions have been active since early this year, with client teams supporting the increase in recent weeks. According to data shared by Toni Wahrstätter, 10% of validators signal a gas limit greater than 30 million. Raising the block gas limit allows each block to contain more data, which improves transaction throughput. An increase of 10 million gas could reduce Layer 1 transaction fees by an estimated 15-33%. The adjustment does not require a hard fork; validators can implement the change simply by modifying their node configurations.

Swellchain, a restaked rollup built on the OP Stack, is now live on mainnet. Coined as a central hub for restaked assets, Swellchain implements Proof of Restake, a mechanism that uses Swell's liquid restaked assets to secure both EigenLayer AVS and Symbiotic Networks. The rollup's launch features two AVS: Ditto Automation, which ensures secure automation via its Keeper network, and Hyperlane, which facilitates asset interoperability. Swellchain's initial partners include Ethena, EigenLayer, Symbiotic, Renzo, Kelp, and EtherFi. Swell is allocating a pool of SWELL tokens to USDe holders and Ethena liquidity providers on the network. 31 million SWELL tokens are also allocated for early users who bridge o the rollup. Swell Network currently has a total value locked (TVL) exceeding $1.4 billion.

EigenLayer awarded AltLayer a retroactive grant of 1 million EIGEN tokens in recognition of their contributions to the EigenLayer ecosystem. As a rollup-as-a-service provider, AltLayer has played roles as an AVS builder, operator, and technology contributor. AltLayer pioneered the restaked rollup framework. The framework incorporates decentralized sequencing, verification, and fast finality into Actively Validated Services (AVS) on EigenLayer. AltLayer has decided to allocate the entire grant to its community. The initial 500,000 EIGEN tokens will go to holders of reALT tokens. The distribution of the remaining tokens will occur after the introduction of EigenLayer's V2 reward mechanism.

Mantle, an optimistic-based network promising low fees and high-security guarantees, is shifting to a ZK-based proof mechanism by integrating Succinct’s zkEVM framework and SP1 technology. SP1 is a versatile zkVM designed for fast and cost-efficient zero-knowledge proof generation. Mantle will maintain full EVM compatibility. Using EigenLayer for its data availability, Mantle functions similarly to a Validium by processing both computation and data storage offchain. Mantle has over $2.2 billion in TVL.

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• Lens Protocol raises $31 million.

• Etherscan supports AA tx data.

• Ink L2 goes live on mainnet.

• Deutsche Bank L2 on ZKsync.

Ink, a Layer 2 network built on the OP Stack by Kraken, has launched on mainnet ahead of its planned Q1 2025 schedule. Users can now bridge to Ink and explore applications on the network. Ink features fast 1-second block times and settles transactions on Ethereum. Kraken, in a move similar to Coinbase with Base, is transitioning its infrastructure onchain to facilitate easier access to DeFi services and to integrate its centralized exchange. As a Superchain member, Ink will adopt interoperability, governance standards, and shared upgrades. It will also allocate a portion of its sequencer revenue to the Optimism Collective.

Lens Protocol, an open web3 social-graph platform, raised $31 million in a funding round led by Faction. The round included participation from Avail, Circle, Consensys, and others. The fresh capital will be used to boost the development of Lens Network, focusing on integrating social and financial interactions onchain. Lens Network was unveiled in May 2024 as an EVM-compatible Validium chain built on ZKsync’s ZK Stack. The network will launch in three phases, transitioning from Validium to Volition and will process financial transactions in ZK Rollup mode and social transactions in Validium mode. Lens Network is set to launch on mainnet in early 2025.

Etherscan released a beta feature that allows users to browse and identify ERC-4337 user operations, providing access to a list of account abstraction transactions along with detailed information on individual AA bundles and transactions. Account abstraction leverages contracts to enhance both the security and usability of user accounts. For each transaction, Etherscan now displays key details including the AA Transaction Hash, Bundle Transaction Hash, gas fees, gas prices, and the entry points utilized. The Etherscan search bar also supports searches for AA transactions. 

Bloomberg reported that German bank Deutsche Bank is developing its own Layer-2 network, known as Project Dama 2, utilizing ZKsync’s ZK stack. The network is a public-permissioned Layer-2 blockchain that includes a secure digital identity system, efficient management of gas fees, and modular smart contracts. The L2 network aims to improve the management, distribution, and servicing of digital assets, while also enhancing regulatory compliance for the bank. The project is currently in a testnet stage.

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