Overview of DA Solutions

Data availability (DA) issues are a significant challenge faced by Layer 2, mainly involving a trade-off between security and cost. To address this problem, the industry has proposed both on-chain and off-chain solutions.

On-chain Solution: Proto-Danksharding

Proto-Danksharding (EIP-4844) is a solution for Ethereum to reduce the cost of data availability. It introduces a new transaction format called Blob, allowing L2 to perform non-permanent data storage on the Ethereum consensus layer at a lower cost. This makes Ethereum a real-time bulletin board, where data will be deleted after a certain period, and L2 must store data backups on their own. Proto-Danksharding is expected to be implemented in Ethereum's Cancun 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 data availability methods. Depending on the level of decentralization and security, they can be divided into four categories:

1. Validium

Validium is a highly centralized DA solution managed by centralized operators who handle off-chain transaction data. While it offers excellent privacy protection and low costs, the risks are higher, as operator failures or malfeasance may result in users' funds being unrecoverable.

2. Data Availability Committee (DAC)

DAC is similar to a consortium blockchain, composed of multiple trusted nodes that store copies of transaction data and make it public when necessary. Although the operating costs are relatively low, small DACs still have security risks.

3. Volition

Volition is a hybrid model that allows users to choose whether to publish the data of a single transaction on-chain or off-chain. This flexibility enables it to partially inherit the security of Ethereum.

4. General DA Solution

These solutions serve not only Ethereum L2 but also support other chains and projects. They typically have independent validation nodes, block producers, and consensus mechanisms, aiming to provide security close to that of public chains.

Introduction to DA Layer Projects

StarkEx

StarkEx is a scaling solution framework developed by the StarkWare team, providing three data availability modes: on-chain, Validium, and Volition. Several well-known projects such as dYdX v3 and Immutable have adopted StarkEx's DA solutions.

zkPorter

zkPorter is an off-chain DA solution proposed by Matter Labs, designed as an independent chain that maintains security through a PoS consensus mechanism. It allows zkSync token holders to stake and become validators, but specific development progress has not yet been disclosed.

EigenDA

EigenDA is developed based on EigenLayer and operates as middleware rather than an independent public chain. It gains security through the restaking model of Ethereum validators on EigenLayer and is the first Active Validation Service (AVS) on EigenLayer.

Celestia

Celestia is a general-purpose DA public chain with independent verification nodes and a PoS consensus mechanism. Although the costs are higher, its security is significantly better than other off-chain solutions. Celestia recently announced a token airdrop plan, sparking industry attention on modular blockchains and DA layers.

Avail

Avail was originally a Polygon project and is now an independently operated DA public chain. Its technology is relatively complex, and the mainnet is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2024. Currently, it is in the second phase of the testnet, providing various participation methods for developers and users.

Future Outlook

With the implementation of EIP-4844 on Ethereum, off-chain DA solutions may face direct competition. In addition to focusing on low costs, these projects also need to seek new competitive advantages. For users, the development of the DA layer may bring new opportunities, which are worth continuous attention.