In an announcement, a Japanese blockchain project revealed its plans to utilize Polygon’s CDK (Chain Development Kit), an open-source framework for launching Layer 2 chains for Ethereum, to build Astar zkEVM.
Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of Polygon, stated: “Currently, Asia is one of the most forward-thinking regions in the world when it comes to adopting web3 technology.”
Sota Watanabe, founder of Astar Network, added: “By closely collaborating with Polygon Labs, Astar will also assist businesses in launching their blockchain initiatives, solidifying Japan’s position as a hub for the web3 movement.”
Astar zkEVM is not the first third-party zkEVM provided by Polygon, as Polygon Labs recently participated in developing separate zkEVM chains for Immutable, IDEX, and Palm Network.
How Astar zkEVM Works:
Polygon Labs explained that with the software release last month, CDK-deployed Layer 2 chains can connect to a shared ZK bridge for interoperability.
ZkEVM offers an Ethereum-compatible scalability solution for applications, meaning it will support the same code as Ethereum, allowing developers to integrate more easily using existing tools and infrastructure.
ZK-rollup performs computations off-chain on Layer 2, enabling faster and cheaper transactions while maintaining Ethereum’s security. Astar aims to bolster blockchain adoption in Japan by attracting global entertainment and gaming projects to enter the market, particularly for high-throughput use cases.
Japan’s Web3 Vision:
Japan is known for its cryptocurrency-friendly regulatory environment, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida acknowledging web3’s potential to transform the internet and contribute to societal changes at the WebX conference in July.
Astar, backed by Coinbase Ventures and Binance Labs, recognizes its role in such initiatives, with domestic strategic regions established to enhance the international competitiveness of web3-based projects and real-world use cases.
Watanabe mentioned: “By promoting more adoption through zkEVM by businesses, we will also collaborate with the Japanese government to elevate web3 as a national strategy.”
Previously, Astar collaborated with the Japanese electronics giant Sony in a web3 incubation program that concluded in June, with 19 projects selected from over 200 applications to launch on Astar.
Polygon Labs unveiled its own zkEVM in March, with the technology identified as a primary focus area for expanding the Ethereum network in recent years. Several blockchain projects, including Polygon, Starknet, ZkSync, and Scroll, are competing to develop functional ZK-based Layer 2 solutions capable of supporting Ethereum applications.