Introduction

On-chain social network infrastructure Lens is getting a new home. The new Lens Network will build upon the work of the original Lens Protocol as one of zkSync’s ZK Stack hyperchains. Lens Lab develops the protocol under the umbrella of Avara, which also built DeFi giant Aave. But Avara CEO Stani Kulechov believes that the non-financial use cases of crypto — citing identity and online social interactions — have the potential to be even bigger.

“The way I think about finance and social [spaces] is that there are a lot of people who have financial capital, but everyone on the planet has social capital — the content we create, the relationships we create and the identities we interact with,” Kulechov said.

The ZK Stack chain will serve as a “central hub” for Lens, which, according to a blog post released Tuesday, will “seamlessly integrate with other EVM and non-EVM blockchains.” A testnet release of the new network is still months away. The current version of Lens has been operational on Polygon’s PoS chain since May 2002.

Main Content

Lens network introduction

Lens Network is branching out for a fresh start. Born from the Lens Protocol, it's shaking things up by shifting its foundation to zkSync’s ZK Stack hyperchains. This isn't just a random leap; it's a strategic move to harness some cool cryptography enhancements. Developed under the watchful eye of Lens Lab, a brainchild of Avara—yes, the same crew behind DeFi powerhouse Aave—the transition aims to unlock a new realm of social and identity service capabilities.

Avara's CEO, Stani Kulechov, is betting big on the non-financial applications of crypto, particularly in social interactions and online identities. He cleverly points out that while financial capital is a special club, social capital—like the content we create and the relationships we build—is universal. Think of it as making every meme you create a bit more valuable.

Migration to zkSync

So why the big move? The aim is to turn zkSync’s ZK Stack chain into the "central hub" for Lens. According to a blog post dropped on Tuesday, this move is designed to "seamlessly integrate with other EVM and non-EVM blockchains." Expect a testnet release in a few months, but don't hold your breath too long—the full rollout will need more time. Lens Network has been working its magic on Polygon’s PoS chain since way back in May 2022. But now, it's leaning into zkSync's tech to level up.

How smooth is this transition, you wonder? Alex Gluchowski, CEO of Matter Labs, claims that Lens will benefit from the modular, open-source ZK Stack framework, based on zkSync Era code. This update promises stellar horizontal scaling. With zk bridges, you can theoretically add a billion users without losing any verifiable info. Magic of tech, right?

Statements from Avara CEO Stani Kulechov

Kulechov is excited about creating open and fair social spaces where users can participate at a network level. It’s a change of pace from traditional social networks where the control—and the cash—rests with the platforms. “Lens is about making users the owners of their social capital,” Kulechov stated. Essentially, your hilarious cat video would belong to you, not just a platform raking in ad dollars.

This might make you go, "Hmm, sounds promising but how’s it different from the Facebooks of the world?” Well, for one, Lens is on a mission to shake up the relationship dynamics, seeking fairer ownership and power distribution among the users. It's like democracy, but for your social identity. User choice could lead to more competition among applications, creating an open social economy that benefits everyone.

Horizontal scaling with zkSync Era

The buzzword here is horizontal scaling. Lens will tap into zkSync Era's horizontal scaling capabilities, which means it can grow its user base without hitting pesky performance bottlenecks. According to Alex Gluchowski, every single transaction will be verified by every Ethereum validator, ensuring maximum reliability. Imagine adding one billion users and still keeping everything smooth and fast. That’s some next-gen tech right there.

This is made possible by zkSync’s modular ZK Stack framework. The tech connects as many Lens chains as required through zk bridges. So, bring on the cat memes, viral dance videos, and all the digital chaos you can muster—Lens can handle it.

Ownership and monetization of social capital

Kulechov is keen to point out the unique value proposition Lens holds: it allows users to own their social capital. This ownership isn't just a nice-to-have; it’s a game-changer. On traditional social platforms, your content is technically owned by the platform. Your hilarious cat meme funds their coffee machines—not yours.

With Lens, you have actual ownership of your content. This opens up new ways to monetize without being chained to advertisers or platform-specific incentives. Think of it as content democracy: each user has the power to profit from their creations, fostering a more vibrant and fair online ecosystem.

Comparison with other social networks

So, how does Lens stack up against the social media titans we know (and love/hate)? Let's talk about Farcaster. In Farcaster, user profiles and interactions are primarily off-chain but linked to an on-chain Ethereum address. This hybrid approach still leaves some control out of users' hands. Lens, on the other hand, is all-in on the on-chain experience. Everything is verifiable and truly owned by users.

Now, take a look at mainstream Web2 options like Facebook. We've all heard tales of content demonetization and strict control over user-generated data. These platforms are centralized and silo user data, giving little room for user autonomy. Lens aims to flip the script, offering user ownership and decentralization, giving your memes the respect they deserve.

No financial terms or migration incentives have been revealed yet. Kulechov expects an organic migration, emphasizing a phased rollout starting from the testnet phase leading to a full-scale mainnet launch. So, pack your digital bags and get ready for the journey ahead—your social capital is about to soar to new heights.

Lens Network to migrate to zkSync

Hey there, tech enthusiasts and crypto aficionados! Here’s some buzzing news from the block (chain). The creative minds behind the Lens Network are packing their (virtual) bags and heading to a new home on zkSync’s ZK Stack hyperchains. Lens, which is built by Lens Lab—a brainchild of Avara, (yes, the same folks who brought you DeFi giant Aave!)—has decided to pivot to this thrilling new environment. And why, you ask? Because the non-financial, identity-focused use cases of crypto might just be the new cool. We’re talking about online social interactions on steroids.

Why Lens Network matters

Now, before you start scratching your head, let’s break down why this move is going to be super exciting. Avara’s CEO, Stani Kulechov, has a very profound (and slightly philosophical) viewpoint on this. He believes everyone might not have financial capital, but social capital? We’ve all got tons. The content we create, the relationships we foster, and our digital identities are the new currency of this era. Think about it—every post you share, every tweet you craft, every social connection you establish is a piece of digital gold.

Lens is set to become a central hub, kind of like the “internet” for these pieces of digital gold. And if that isn't enough to tickle your techie taste buds, this new network will seamlessly integrate with other EVM and non-EVM blockchains. They’ve got a testnet version cooking up but hold your horses; it’s still a few months away.

The magic of zkSync

Lens has been flourishing on Polygon’s PoS chain since May 2002. Now it's transitioning to zkSync’s open-source ZK Stack framework. This framework is as modular as a Swiss Army knife and is built to provide horizontal scaling by connecting multiple Lens chains via zk bridges. Matter Labs CEO, Alex Gluchowski, gives us this jaw-dropping hint: you could add one billion users on this network without breaking a sweat. Every transaction, no matter how tiny or mighty, will be verified by each Ethereum validator.

It’s like having an all-you-can-eat buffet of digital interactions, verified by the crème de la crème of blockchain technology. In a nutshell, this shift is going to make Lens the Aladdin's cave of on-chain social interactions.

Laying the groundwork for the future

Lens was a pioneer in on-chain social infrastructure, back when zk rollup technology seemed like a distant dream. Stani points out that they’re building something inclusive and fair. Everyone gets to join the party at a network level and own their social capital. The beauty of it all? Users create and own their content, which is kind of a “take that!” to today’s centralized social networks where platforms own the content.

Alex Gluchowski sees Lens as a flag-bearer of Ethereum values in the social sphere. Lens is designed to give users control over their identities and their content, everything happening on-chain. Imagine a social media world where you truly own every meme, every witty comment, and every profound thought you post.

Transformation in the social landscape

Unlike Lens, competitors like Farcaster keep most interactions off-chain. Mainstream players like Facebook are still centralized fortresses, locking away your data. Lens aims to turn this model on its head, giving more autonomy and power to the users. We could see an open social space where algorithms are chosen by users, not dictated to them, potentially igniting more competition at the application level.

Financial deets? Shrouded in mystery, Sherlock. No financial terms or migration incentive strategies spelled out yet. But like a good surprise party, users might just show up naturally to explore the new digs. The phased testnet to mainnet rollout will be a cautious dance, inviting users to test waters before the big plunge.