Achieving Fast Finality on Manta Network: A Dual-Layer Approach

In the world of Layer 2 (L2) networks, the problem of achieving state finality quickly and securely has been a long standing one. Traditional optimistic rollups face finality times of up to 7 days — a delay that has a huge impact on user experience and asset efficiency.

To this end, we have developed an innovative solution that drastically reduces finality times while maintaining a high level of network security and decentralization. Let’s explore the problem of finality and our attempt at addressing it on Manta Pacific in greater detail.

Understanding the Finality Challenge

In its simplest form, finality signifies the point at which it is no longer possible to reverse or change the effect of a transaction on the overall state (the current status of all accounts, assets, and data) of the network. Think of it as clay being molded to a certain shape, and then drying to a point of finality beyond which it cannot be reshaped. This property is important because the validity of asset transfers, especially withdrawals is derived directly from it.

Manta Pacific currently operates as an optimistic rollup on Ethereum, and finality is more complex in the case of optimistic rollups since there are two layers of blockchain systems working together. Here’s a brief description of the process:

1. A transaction is sent to Manta Pacific (L2) and is immediately executed.
2. Multiple transactions are bundled up together into a batch, and a state root is generated based on the updated state of the network.
3. The bundled transaction data is sent to the Celestia data availability layer to be stored, while the state roots are published to Ethereum.

Think of state roots as a complete representation of the L2 chain state at a given point of time that are essentially saying “this is the new state of the system”. State roots allow network actors to verify the correctness of state transitions.

This is where the “optimistic” part comes in to the picture. The system assumes the validity of newly generated state roots without immediately verifying them. Instead, the system provides a 7-day challenge period during **which any network actors can prove that a state root is incorrect by taking the transaction data (which is publicly available on Celestia), executing it, and demonstrating the inconsistency to contracts deployed on Ethereum.

Even though the transactions have been “executed”, the state roots must wait through this lengthy challenge period before being considered “final”.

Our Two-Layer Solution

Lengthier challenge periods imply greater security, but entail a compromise in terms of user experience. Our solution adds active validation into the picture via native MANTA token staking using Symbiotic’s restaking protocol, and additional security via the Babylon Bitcoin staking protocol. Let’s go over the specifics.

Fig: Ultra-simplified system architecture

MANTA Token Delegation via Symbiotic

The first component of our fast finality system leverages MANTA token staking through Symbiotic’s restaking protocol. As state roots are published to Ethereum:

1. MANTA token holders delegate their validation power to trusted Manta node operators.
2. Node operators swiftly validate new state roots as they are generated, and post validation results to Celestia, the data availability layer.
3. A decentralized relayer system collects and aggregates the validation results, and then adds a BLS signature (for efficient signature verification).
4. The aggregated and signed signature data is finally published to Ethereum, the settlement layer.

Bitcoin Security

The Babylon staking protocol leverages Bitcoin’s security and is deployed by Manta in the following manner:

1. BTC holders stake their tokens and participate in the validation process.
2. The participating node operators, also referred to as Finality Providers (FPs), validate the state roots and use Extractable One-Time Signature (EOTS) scheme to sign off on the validated state roots.
3. The validations are sent to a smart contract deployed on the Babylon network.
4. The decentralized relayer system takes validation results and submits them to Ethereum, the settlement layer.

A Note on Proof Systems

Our fast finality security framework will be progressively enhanced through three phases: launching with our robust dual-layer validation system, followed by integration of Optimism’s fraud proofs, and ultimately incorporating zero-knowledge proofs for efficient dispute resolution.

Results and Benefits

The magic at the heart of this process is both layers simultaneously validating new state roots, with the MANTA layer providing immediate, native validation, and the Bitcoin layer adding the weight of Bitcoin’s security model.

With both layers verifying state roots and confirming their validity independently, the network now offers better security guarantees. As a result, we’re significantly less reliant on the 7-day challenge period, achieving fast finality. Now in the highly unlikely event a dispute does arise, our system can promptly generate zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs to resolve challenges.

This setup delivers the following key benefits:

Improved Performance and Efficiency

• Significantly reduced finality times.
• Faster transaction confirmations.
• Shorter withdrawal periods (down to a few hours).
• Lower operational costs through selective use of ZK proofs for quick validation during challenges.
• Bitcoin doesn’t need to be bridged over or wrapped to be delegated.

Enhanced Security

• Dual-layer validation combining the native MANTA token and BTC.
• Slashing mechanism discourages malicious behavior on the part of validators.
• Increased level of decentralization through Bitcoin’s network effect.

Conclusion

Our fast finality solution represents a significant advancement in L2 scalability. By combining the restaking capabilities of MANTA token with the robust security of BTC, we’ve created a system that achieves both speed and security.

The architecture we’re using not only addresses the immediate challenge of slow finality times, but also establishes a foundation for future innovations in terms of scalability. We expect to see further improvements in network efficiency as we continue to enhance this system while maintaining the highest standards of security.

Additional Resources

1. Technical Preliminaries of Bitcoin Staking
2. Symbiotic + Manta: Fast Finality for OP Stack Rollups
3. Building with Symbiotic: Fast Finality
4. BLS signatures wiki

About Manta Network

Manta Network is the largest modular L2 scaling solution on Ethereum. It offers unparalleled throughput and resiliency to power over 200 applications live on the network. Combined with a suite of tools to quickly build and deploy applications, Manta Network provides the best-in-class environment for decentralized applications focused on scaling to a global user base.

Manta Network was created by a team of experienced founders from prestigious institutions, including Harvard, MIT, and Algorand. Manta Network has received investments from many of the top web3 investment funds, including Binance Labs and Polychain Capital. It has grown through participation in the best web3 accelerators, including Alliance DAO and Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator.

Website | X | Discord | Telegram Announcements