TL;DR
- Cronos zkEVM Launch : Cronos zkEVM, the first ZK Layer-2 chain besides ZKsync Era, has launched its mainnet in “alpha” phase.
- Pioneer Program : Users can start collecting loyalty points and unlock rewards through the mainnet mission program.
- Tethys Testnet Upgrade : Cronos has upgraded its zkEVM testnet to Tethys, improving connectivity and features ahead of the mainnet launch.
Cronos Labs has taken an important step in the evolution of its blockchain ecosystem with the launch of Cronos zkEVM in its mainnet “alpha” phase.
This event marks a significant milestone in positioning Cronos zkEVM as the first ZK Layer-2 chain alongside ZKsync Era, expanding the scalability possibilities for Ethereum and the ZK chain ecosystem at large.
🎉 Cronos zkEVM, the first Layer-2 ZK chain alongside @zksync Era, has officially launched “alpha” mainnet! This marks a monumental step in scaling Ethereum and the broader ZK chain ecosystems, bringing the most advanced DeFi dApps to the masses.
Pioneer Program Mainnet Missions… pic.twitter.com/1nXtaRF5HD
— Cronos (@cronos_chain) August 15, 2024
The new zkEVM is designed to offer a robust infrastructure to support advanced DeFi applications and other key functionalities, promising a significant improvement in transaction efficiency and cost.
Since its inception, Cronos zkEVM has been a standout project, and its evolution towards mainnet is a testament to Cronos Labs commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in the blockchain space.
The alpha launch will allow users to experience first-hand the capabilities of this new scalability solution.
During this phase, which will run until September 2024, the Cronos community, known as #CROFam, is invited to actively participate by providing crucial feedback that will help optimize the network.
The zkEVM Pioneer Program has been launched simultaneously, offering users the opportunity to earn loyalty points and unlock rewards while participating in missions within the ecosystem.
This approach will not only encourage active participation in the new network, but will also help refine the platform based on real-life user experience.
Additionally, Cronos has upgraded its zkEVM testnet to the Tethys version, an upgrade that includes significant improvements such as an optimized bridge between the Cronos zkEVM testnet and Ethereum’s Sepolia testnet.
This upgrade is an important step towards the full launch of the mainnet, offering features such as reduced transaction fees and better connectivity between different ZK chains.
The upgrade will also enable better integration with DeFi applications and other use cases, benefiting both developers and users.
Implications and Future of Cronos
The impact of these updates is profound for the Cronos ecosystem and the ZK chain space in general.
The ability to handle higher transaction volumes at lower cost and with greater speed is essential for mass adoption of blockchain technologies.
The successful launch of zkEVM in alpha phase and the smooth transition of the Tethys testnet to mainnet will be key indicators of the long-term viability of this technology.
Active community participation during the alpha phase is crucial to fine–tuning and refining the network.
With a robust user base and growing ecosystem, zkEVM has the potential to establish itself as a go-to solution in the world of ZK chains and DeFi applications.
Continued collaboration with strategic partners such as Matter Labs, Crypto.com, and others reinforces Cronos’ commitment to innovation and scalability in the blockchain space.
Future evolution and developments in this area promise to bring significant improvements and new opportunities for both users and developers.
