Summary:
1. Superchains are networks of chains that share bridging, decentralized governance, upgrades, a communication layer, and more, but Cooper Kunz from Aztec Labs sees them as networks not necessarily using a specific tech stack like Optimism's.
2. He distinguishes between different interpretations of superchains, emphasizing that they share mission-critical components such as governance, sequencing, proof aggregation, or data availability.
3. Superchains, including Polygon's aggregation layer and arbitram's orbit stack, share some levels of technology stack, data availability, and governance, making them versions of a superchain model.
4. Cooper is skeptical about the superchain model as a sustainable business model, suggesting that it relies on a constant promise of improvement and may not view the technology as a public good but rather a profitable business.
5. He predicts that differentiation among superchains will shift from costs and speed to brand reputation and the ability to nurture ecosystems through business development and grants.
6. Cooper expresses a belief that there will be fewer than 25 meaningful Layer 2s consuming most of the Ethereum resources and that these will differentiate themselves rather than collaborate deeply.
7. He argues meaningful projects will strive for sovereignty and suggests that future architectures like Ethereum-aligned shared sequencers may render superchain models outdated by the time they are prioritized.
8. Aztec, in contrast to superchains, focuses on privacy, security, credible neutrality, governance minimization, and does not plan to launch a superchain or hyperchain.
9. Ultimately, Cooper questions whether Aztec is missing an opportunity by not adopting a superchain model but reaffirms Aztec's commitment to privacy and credible neutrality as key to their long-term success.
Key Questions:
- How does Cooper Kunz redefine the concept of superchains?
- What is the predicted shift in how superchains will differentiate themselves?
- What does Cooper suggest about the future number and sovereignty of Layer 2s?
- In what ways does Aztec's approach differ from that of superchains?
Answers:
- Cooper Kunz redefines superchains by removing the requirement of using a specific tech stack, like Optimism's, and considering them as any network of chains sharing mission-critical components such as governance and data availability.
- He predicts that differentiation among superchains will eventually move away from cost and speed towards brand reputation, ecosystem nurturing capabilities, and the effectiveness of their business development strategies.
- Cooper suggests that there will likely be fewer than 25 meaningful Layer 2s, and these will seek to differentiate without compromising their sovereignty or collaborating excessively with others, focusing instead on minimizing governance risks and capturing internal value.
- Aztec focuses on privacy as a core value and aims for decoupling from dominant governance models and centralized value extraction, thereby contrasting with typical superchain strategies which may rely on shared governance and technology stacks.
Core Takeaway:
- The core problem described is the reliance on and rapid development of superchain models in the blockchain space, which according to Kunz, might not be the most sustainable or effective approach in the long term.
- The consequences of not understanding this are potentially investing in or developing technologies that will become obsolete, missing opportunities for true sovereignty, and over-committing to collaborative models that might not serve the best interests of individual projects.
- The top three key ideas to address the problem are: (1) Reevaluating the need for superchains and considering alternative, emerging technologies that align more closely with Ethereum's architecture; (2) Fostering meaningful Layer 2 projects that capture internal value and emphasize sovereignty without excessive reliance on other chains' governance; (3) Focusing on developing blockchain ecosystems through credible neutrality, privacy-first technologies and governance minimization, as exemplified by Aztec Labs.
Here are a few memorable quotes:
- "You can consider this to be the same in a variety of architectures."
- "A lot of L2s don't see what they're building as public goods. They see them as profitable business endeavors."
- "If you're one of the top 25 projects, meaningful projects do not want to lose sovereignty."
- "We don't really know how we're going to make a bunch of money. That's not what we're prioritizing right now."
- "Should Aztec launch a superchain, are we mid curving the hell out of this?"
Tags here: Cooper Kunz, Aztec Labs, Superchain, Layer 2 (L2), Governance, Sovereignty, Ethereum.
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