If LayerZero represents the era of cross-chain interoperability 1.0, then Union is expected to be the pioneer of cross-chain interoperability 2.0 based on ZK technology.
Written by: Haotian
Recently, I noticed a cross-chain interoperability project @union_build, a Layer-1 project centered around ZK interoperability, aiming to disrupt the current cross-chain market landscape dominated by @LayerZero_Core. The question arises, what distinguishes it from other cross-chain interoperability projects, and what are its highlights? Will it bring new opportunities to the ZK infra track? Let me share some of my observations:
Undeniably, the market demand for cross-chain interoperability is rapidly growing, but existing solutions each have their shortcomings. LayerZero mainly covers the EVM ecosystem and once led the trend of cross-chain adoption based on light node verification paths. Wormhole relies on a multi-signature security committee to ensure cross-chain security, while Axelar relies on a network of validators to handle cross-chain messages.
In contrast, Union does not rely on oracles, multi-signatures, or MPC, but directly chooses to use ZK technology to verify cross-chain consensus, providing efficient and scalable interoperability capabilities without sacrificing security.
This hierarchical structure based on ZK technology provides a clearer interoperability protocol path, allowing Union to deeply connect different ecosystems, not limited to EVM-compatible chains, and supporting various development environments including Solidity, Move, Cosmos, Solang, and BitVM. This clearly has a much broader coverage than LayerZero, which focuses on the EVM ecosystem.
When many people mention ZK technology, they first think of Layer2 scaling and privacy protection (state proofs submitted from layer two to layer one). This clearly does not harness the full potential of ZK technology. However, Union's innovation lies in applying ZK technology to the cross-chain interoperability field, expanding the application boundaries of ZK technology.
With the support of ZK technology, it can directly verify the consensus state between different chains without relying on trusted third parties, making it more secure and efficient than traditional cross-chain bridges. Through ZK proofs, Union is able to achieve cross-chain interactions in sub-second levels, providing an almost instant transaction confirmation experience, which is a disruptive upgrade in user experience in cross-chain scenarios.
It is worth mentioning that the testnet data shows that Union has processed over 58 million cross-chain transactions, has 250,000 Dashboard users, and recently launched App v2 and opened a new testnet.
Union has also taken a significant step in the BTCFi field. According to public information, Union has secured nine-figure TVL commitments from top LST protocols such as Bedrock, Lombard, and Solv. These LSTs will be bridged from Ethereum to Babylon through Union, making it an important asset bridge in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Union has also launched the BTCFi Flywheel program in collaboration with Escher (LST), Tower (DEX), and SatLayer (Restaking) to create a yield ecosystem, aiming to truly "generate interest" for BTC. This strategic positioning not only responds to current market trends but also establishes a unique competitive advantage for Union in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
In fact, the inherently non-programmable nature of Bitcoin's chain, when connected through ZK and other chains, can directly demonstrate the cross-chain application capabilities of ZK technology. Previously, there have been multiple projects attempting to use the zkVM paradigm as an expansion solution for the Bitcoin ecosystem.
It should be noted that its financing has also received recognition from several top institutions, having completed a $16 million financing round, with investors including gumi Cryptos Capital, LongHash Ventures, Foresight Ventures, Borderless Capital, and others.
From the perspective of ecological expansion, Union is also moving quite fast. According to the data, 40+ strategic partnerships have been established, attracting 50+ cooperation projects, including Berachain, Polygon, Celestia, Babylon, Scroll, Sui, Avalanche and other leading projects. This is quite a good result in the current market environment.
Above.
If LayerZero represents the era of cross-chain interoperability 1.0, then Union is expected to become the pioneer of cross-chain interoperability 2.0 based on ZK technology. It is attempting to create an "on-chain highway" that connects various homogeneous/heterogeneous main chains, L2, Rollups, and Appchains, aiming to become the infrastructure channel for inter-chain interoperability.
However, it should be noted that it is not easy to truly shake projects like LayerZero that already have a certain market share and ecological depth. Although Union's technological approach is advanced, the complexity and maturity of ZK technology itself is also a challenge. Ultimately, whether it can succeed will depend on its actual performance after the mainnet launch and the speed of continuous ecological development.
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Can the ZK-based cross-chain project Union challenge the dominance of LayerZero?
Written by: Haotian
Recently, I noticed a cross-chain interoperability project @union_build, a Layer-1 project centered around ZK interoperability, aiming to disrupt the current cross-chain market landscape dominated by @LayerZero_Core. The question arises, what distinguishes it from other cross-chain interoperability projects, and what are its highlights? Will it bring new opportunities to the ZK infra track? Let me share some of my observations:
In contrast, Union does not rely on oracles, multi-signatures, or MPC, but directly chooses to use ZK technology to verify cross-chain consensus, providing efficient and scalable interoperability capabilities without sacrificing security.
This hierarchical structure based on ZK technology provides a clearer interoperability protocol path, allowing Union to deeply connect different ecosystems, not limited to EVM-compatible chains, and supporting various development environments including Solidity, Move, Cosmos, Solang, and BitVM. This clearly has a much broader coverage than LayerZero, which focuses on the EVM ecosystem.
With the support of ZK technology, it can directly verify the consensus state between different chains without relying on trusted third parties, making it more secure and efficient than traditional cross-chain bridges. Through ZK proofs, Union is able to achieve cross-chain interactions in sub-second levels, providing an almost instant transaction confirmation experience, which is a disruptive upgrade in user experience in cross-chain scenarios.
It is worth mentioning that the testnet data shows that Union has processed over 58 million cross-chain transactions, has 250,000 Dashboard users, and recently launched App v2 and opened a new testnet.
Union has also launched the BTCFi Flywheel program in collaboration with Escher (LST), Tower (DEX), and SatLayer (Restaking) to create a yield ecosystem, aiming to truly "generate interest" for BTC. This strategic positioning not only responds to current market trends but also establishes a unique competitive advantage for Union in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
In fact, the inherently non-programmable nature of Bitcoin's chain, when connected through ZK and other chains, can directly demonstrate the cross-chain application capabilities of ZK technology. Previously, there have been multiple projects attempting to use the zkVM paradigm as an expansion solution for the Bitcoin ecosystem.
From the perspective of ecological expansion, Union is also moving quite fast. According to the data, 40+ strategic partnerships have been established, attracting 50+ cooperation projects, including Berachain, Polygon, Celestia, Babylon, Scroll, Sui, Avalanche and other leading projects. This is quite a good result in the current market environment.
Above.
If LayerZero represents the era of cross-chain interoperability 1.0, then Union is expected to become the pioneer of cross-chain interoperability 2.0 based on ZK technology. It is attempting to create an "on-chain highway" that connects various homogeneous/heterogeneous main chains, L2, Rollups, and Appchains, aiming to become the infrastructure channel for inter-chain interoperability.
However, it should be noted that it is not easy to truly shake projects like LayerZero that already have a certain market share and ecological depth. Although Union's technological approach is advanced, the complexity and maturity of ZK technology itself is also a challenge. Ultimately, whether it can succeed will depend on its actual performance after the mainnet launch and the speed of continuous ecological development.