Introduction to Lens Protocol's Blueprint for Lens Network

A new hybrid and modular infrastructure, initially launching as a Validium chain on Ethereum.

tah_eth

Posted on May 15, 2024

Lens Lab, a division of the web3 initiative Avara and the primary developer behind the decentralized social graph Lens Protocol, has announced the introduction of its own Layer 2 network named ‘Lens Network’.

What is Lens?

Lens is characterized as a social graph, representing a decentralized and user-controlled network of connections and relationships among individuals and entities. Through NFT-based user profiles, Lens enables interactions with decentralized applications (dapps) within its ecosystem while preventing any single entity from exerting dominance over content.

The forthcoming Lens Network will power an updated version of the Lens Protocol, acting as a central ‘hub’ you could say for Lens users. This revamped protocol will integrate with both EVM-compatible and non-EVM blockchains, allowing compatibility and expanding the Lens ecosystem's reach. "EVM compatible" refers to blockchains compatible with Ethereum's Virtual Machine, enabling the use of Ethereum smart contracts and DApps. "Non-EVM compatible" blockchains lack this compatibility and cannot run Ethereum-based applications directly.

This new network, Lens Network, is set to be compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and will operate as a validium chain. A ‘Validium chain’ is a layer-2 solution that moves transactions off the main blockchain for faster processing and increased privacy. It validates transactions off-chain before batching them onto the main chain. By using zkSync’s ‘ZK Stack’, Lens Network aims to enhance scalability and efficiency in transaction processing.

Lens Network's launch will unfold across three stages. Initially, a Validium chain will be deployed on Ethereum. Following this, a data availability provider will be introduced, followed by the integration of Volition to enhance transaction security and user control. Volition, in this case meaning features within the platform that empower users to make different decisions and choices.

Stani Kulechov, the founder of Avara, highlighted the hybrid architecture of Lens Network, which combines Validium and Volition with the ZK Stack on Ethereum. This architecture not only allows for scalability but also promotes a more transparent and equitable internet ecosystem.

Links

Social Media: Twitter

Website: lens.xyz