Lens Lab, the core developer behind the web3 project Avara’s social graph Lens Protocol, has revealed plans to launch Lens Network, an EVM-compatible Layer 2 network. This new network will utilize zkSync’s Layer 2 development framework known as ZK Stack.

The development of Lens Network will be implemented in three phases. Initially, the network will start as a Validium chain on Ethereum. The subsequent phase will introduce a data availability provider, followed by the integration of Volition to bolster security and user control over transactions.

Validium and Volition are advanced blockchain scaling solutions that employ zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs but differ in their security models. Validium chains offload data storage off-chain while maintaining the integrity of ZK proofs, whereas Volition allows users to choose between on-chain and off-chain data availability, offering enhanced flexibility and security.

Stani Kulechov, founder of Avara, emphasized the significance of this hybrid approach: “Lens Network creates a hybrid architecture that combines Validium and Volition with the ZK Stack on Ethereum. This not only scales but will make the internet more open and fair.”

Currently, Lens Protocol operates on the Polygon POS chain to facilitate transactions and has previously developed its own scaling solution named Momoka. The new Lens Network will advance these efforts by providing a more robust and scalable infrastructure.

Lens Protocol functions as a social graph, a decentralized, user-owned network of connections and relationships among individuals and entities. Within this ecosystem, NFTs serve as user profiles, enabling users to engage with various decentralized applications (dApps) without the risk of centralized control over their content.

The forthcoming Lens Network will power an updated version of the Lens Protocol, serving as a central hub for its users. This hub will seamlessly integrate with other Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and non-EVM blockchains, promoting interoperability and enhancing the overall user experience.

By leveraging the ZK Stack and creating a hybrid Validium-Volition architecture, Lens Network aims to set a new standard for scalability, security, and user autonomy in the decentralized web space.