What’s Morph?

Morph protocol

The Morph protocol architecture mainly includes a modular, decentralized sequencer network and responsive validity proof. Responsive validity proof is a new verification method proposed by Morph, which combines the advantages of fraud-proof and validity proof.

Modularity of Morph

Modularity is a term that describes an architectural design in which Layer1 can be divided into four modules: consensus, execution, data availability, and settlement. Layer2 can also be divided into several modules.

Morph has three important modules. Each role performs its duties to ensure the module runs seamlessly. Each role is composed of different components. These underlying components effectively collaborate while retaining their respective sovereignty. The three modules are Sequencer Network responsible for consensus and execution, Optimistic zkEVM responsible for settlement, and Rollup responsible for data availability.

Morph’s rollup strategy maximizes efficiency. A transaction contains multiple batches, and a batch contains multiple blocks. Additionally, with zk-proof functionality, the contents of the blocks are compressed to effectively manage the cost of Layer1 data availability.

Decentralized Sequencer Network

In traditional Layer1, miners in a proof-of-work system or validator nodes in a proof-of-stake system package and process transactions. Miners and nodes can package, sequence, and produce blocks.

Many current Layer2 designs employ a single role, unaffected by competition or staking costs, responsible for packaging and sequencing all Layer2 transactions. This role is called the “Sequencer”. Its responsibilities are not limited to sequencing; it is also responsible for generating L2 blocks, regularly committing Layer 2 transactions and state changes to Layer 1, and resolving any potential challenges with submissions.

There are concerns over this monopoly of centralized sequencers having sole control over the sequencing and packaging of Layer 2 transactions. Moreover, centralized sequencers will have problems such as single points of failure, excessive transaction review, and MEV monopoly.

Morph stands out from other Rollup projects by emphasizing the establishment of a decentralized sequencer network from the outset. Its architectural design focuses on improving efficiency and reducing costs. Morph’s solution ensures fast execution and transaction confirmation on Layer2 while striving for decentralization. Moreover, Morph follows the principles of network scalability and ease of management, with the design of the sequencer network prioritizing ease of maintenance, expansion, and updates. If a network feature requires maintenance, it should not disrupt the operation of other functions. Additionally, the sequencer network should be adaptive and easy to upgrade as new and more efficient solutions emerge.

Responsive validity proof

The fraud proof mechanisms used in the Optimistic Rollup project can be divided into two categories: non-interactive fraud proof and interactive fraud proof.

Non-interactive fraud proof is when the new state submitted by the sequencer is challenged, L1 executes all corresponding L2 transactions, producing a valid state, which is compared with the state submitted by the sequencer to determine whether fraud has occurred. In the event of fraud, non-interactive fraud proofs require L1 to completely re-execute the transactions in the relevant batch, resulting in high gas costs.

Interactive fraud proof is to solve the problem of non-interactive fraud proof, and multiple rounds of interactive fraud proof are introduced. The core idea is to determine the specific instruction execution that caused the error through multiple rounds of interaction between the sequencer and the challenger (in EVM, transaction execution is divided into multiple EVM instructions to complete the state transition), and then confirm whether there is fraud through the following methods: Execute the corresponding instructions on L1. The benefit of this approach is that L1 only needs to perform tiny operations, which greatly reduces the computational cost. At the same time, since the execution of L1 is refined to the EVM instruction level, the problem of inconsistent results between L1 and L2 will be significantly reduced. However, the problem is also quite evident. As can be seen from the description above, the logic of interactive fraud prevention is much more complex than non-interactive, which implies higher implementation difficulty and a longer challenge period (sufficient time needs to be reserved to ensure completion of all complex interactions).

The above two proof methods have considerable shortcomings. Morph proposed a new verification method: responsive validity proof. It combines Optimistic Rollup with Validity Proof and utilizes ZK-Proof to verify the correctness of the state.

The advantage of responsive validity proof is that it shortens the challenge period from 7 days to 1-3 days. Not only that, it can also greatly reduce L2 submission costs. Based on the validity proof, L2 does not need to contain most of the transaction bytes. Be more friendly to challengers. In addition to basic L2 state maintenance and identification, only the responsibility for triggering challenges is required, and the sequencer needs to prove itself correct (by generating and verifying the corresponding ZK-proof).

Project roadmap

The project is divided into four phases by quarter in 2024. In the first quarter, the Sepolia testnet will be launched. In the second quarter, the Holesky testnet will be launched, and integration with EIP-4844 and zkEVM upgrades will bed conducted. In the third quarter, the mainnet was launched. In the fourth quarter, mainnet updates will be carried out. Currently, the project is progressing through the second phase.

Financing background

According to BlockBeats, on March 20, Ethereum L2 Morph announced the completion of a $19 million seed round of financing, led by Dragonfly Capital, Pantera Capital, Foresight Ventures, The Spartan Group, MEXC Ventures, Symbolic Capital, Public Works, MH Ventures and Everyrealm Participate in joint investment.

In addition, Morph also received US$1 million in angel round financing. Investors include founders from projects such as Polygon, Manta, Galxe, Sei, Nansen, Story Protocol, and KOLs such as Icebergy, MoonOverlord, NaniXBT, and Dingaling. Morph plans to use this round of financing to accelerate team building, increase developer incentives, expand marketing, etc.

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