A Solana ETF is a type of exchange-traded fund that offers a way for investors to gain exposure to the Solana ecosystem without directly owning SOL tokens.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 

) on Jan 10, 2024 electrified the cryptocurrency community, 

. This landmark decision has opened the floodgates for speculation about the introduction of spot ETFs for other leading cryptocurrencies. Several issuers have already 

, a rising star in the blockchain arena, could also be a prime candidate for its own spot ETF. This article examines the feasibility of a Solana Spot ETF in the wake of Bitcoin’s ETF success. Explore the potential of a Solana Spot ETF while considering the lessons learned from Bitcoin’s ETF journey and the unique aspects of Solana’s blockchain technology that could influence its own spot ETF approval.

A Solana ETF is a type of exchange-traded fund that tracks the price of Solana's native cryptocurrency, SOL, offering a way for investors to gain exposure to the Solana ecosystem without directly owning SOL tokens.

A Solana ETF, if approved, would function as a regulated investment fund that follows the price of Solana’s native token, SOL, by directly holding these tokens in its underlying basket. The ETF would be traded on stock exchanges, so investors could buy and sell shares of the fund, just as they would with stocks. The value of the ETF shares would fluctuate with the market price of SOL tokens, providing investors with exposure to Solana’s performance without the need to directly purchase or store the cryptocurrency.

The mechanics of a Solana ETF would involve several key components:

The establishment of a Solana ETF would depend upon regulatory approval. This requires the ETF issuer to demonstrate that the fund meets all legal and regulatory standards, including those related to investor protection and market integrity. The SEC’s stance on cryptocurrency ETFs has been cautious, but the recent approval of Bitcoin Spot ETFs has set a precedent that could pave the way for other cryptocurrencies such as Solana.

The current landscape of Solana ETFs is filled with anticipation and a few options for those eager to get in. While there aren't any official Solana ETFs approved yet in the U.S., there's a lot of talk about the possibility. People are particularly hopeful following the SEC's approval of Bitcoin Spot ETFs, whose funds directly hold BTC.

Although the exact timeline for approval remains uncertain, experts believe that Solana could hit the crypto spot ETF market in 2024. They're keeping a close eye on the SEC's decision regarding potential Ethereum Spot ETFs, 

, which could set a precedent for Solana ETFs.

In the meantime, investors looking to get a piece of the Solana action can turn to products such as 

 (VSOL), which are available in certain regions. In Canada, 

 is getting ready to launch a Solana Spot ETF, which could be the first of its kind in North America.

The excitement around Solana ETFs comes from the blockchain's increasing adoption, its technological advancements and its attractiveness as an investment. Nevertheless, getting ETF approval is anything but straightforward, as the market needs clear structures to support them and there are numerous regulatory hoops to jump through.

Still, with the growing interest in crypto ETFs, there's a reasonable chance of Solana ETFs becoming a reality soon. When they do, they'll offer investors a new way to tap into Solana’s exciting blockchain platform.

Chances of Solana ETF Applications Being Approved

As mentioned above, approval for Solana ETFs depends upon a few key factors, including the regulatory landscape. Right now, it seems like getting the green light for a Solana ETF in the U.S. might be a long shot. Tellingly, no company has yet applied for one to the SEC.

Instead, all eyes are on Ethereum. Several companies, including big names like Franklin Templeton and 

s. The SEC is expected to decide on these applications this year, a decision that could hold sway over the fate of Solana ETFs.

However, there's a twist: The SEC sees Bitcoin differently because of its 

 (PoW) consensus mechanism, whereas Ethereum and Solana are both 

 blockchains, making approval trickier. The SEC is still investigating whether Ether (ETH) is a security, which would open up additional compliance requirements for the asset.

 because it aims to play a similar role in the blockchain world. It boasts compelling features, such as fast transactions and low fees. Therefore, if Ethereum gets the thumbs-up, it may bode well for Solana, too. The anticipation is that if a Solana ETF gets the go-ahead, it could see a wave of inflows, much as Bitcoin did.

What Will It Mean If a Solana ETF Application Is Approved?

If a Solana ETF application were approved, it would mark a significant moment for the crypto world, especially for Solana itself. 

Investors would gain the ability to effectively buy Solana's token, SOL, through a regulated investment product traded on stock exchanges. This could bring more liquidity into Solana, make its token easier to access and provide some regulatory clarity — all of which could attract larger institutional investors.

Looking at the impact of Bitcoin ETFs on the crypto market, we could see a similar rush of mainstream adoption if a Solana ETF were to be approved. Being able to invest in Solana from a typical retail or institutional brokerage account would open the door for larger inflows.

However, since the SEC is still trying to determine whether Ether is a security, it will almost certainly have ruled on this issue before approving a Solana ETF. 

The SEC's January 2024 approval of Bitcoin Spot ETFs has sparked excitement over the potential for a Solana ETF, a possibility that could make investing in the SOL token more accessible for everyone. Although no applications are in the U.S. pipeline yet, the anticipation in the industry is undeniable. Approval would mark a major milestone, with an impact potentially similar to that of Bitcoin's Spot ETF approvals — and the promise of bringing more institutional players into the cryptocurrency market.

Intermediate

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Solana ETF: The Next Contender After BTC and ETH Spot ETFs

Tensor (TNSR) is revolutionizing Solana's NFT trading infrastructure with innovative features and a community-focused model, becoming the second-largest NFT marketplace on Solana.

Tensor, an NFT marketplace built on Solana (

), created quite a buzz after the Tensor Foundation announced that rewards worth over $200 million for its season one, two and three airdrops were available for claim.

, TNSR, which generated over $640 million in trading volume within seven hours or so of its launch.

Such success is synonymous with the incredible performance of various projects within the Solana ecosystem, especially 

 that have raked in millions of dollars in trading volume upon launch.

So, what’s the hype around Tensor, and what does it bring to the crypto space?

Tensor is an on-chain marketplace built on Solana whose traders and creators can buy, sell and trade 

Tensor is the second largest Solana NFT marketplace after 

NFT enthusiasts can easily and conveniently 

 and manage their assets with Tensor’s innovative platform. Tensor has adopted a similar rewards model as 

), whereby users receive tokens distributed through 

Launched in July 2022, Tensor was created to offer traders deep liquidity and swift transactions for NFT trading, along with the opportunity to earn rewards.

The project carried out its first season of airdrops in September 2022, followed by a second season in March 2023, attracting a considerable number of participants. During the second season, activity on the platform briefly surpassed that of Magic Eden, as users increased activity while targeting the rewards.

NFT creators can also use the platform to add or remove NFT mints, and even to change the descriptions of the NFTs they’ve created. The platform also has a launchpad for Solana NFTs, such as pNFTs and compressed NFTs.

Tensor supports its creators through enforced royalties, whereby the buyer (taker) pays the royalties, a marketplace fee and the listed price. However, a collection can include optional royalties so the buyer can choose the rate of royalty they wish to pay.

 NFT collection, which consists of 10,000 NFTs that target Tensor’s die-hard community. By becoming a Tensorian NFT holder, you unlock various benefits, such as 

, becoming part of the Tensor community, and receiving rewards and exclusive merchandise. 

Following are the key features that are part of building the NFT infrastructure on Tensor.

Tensor AMM (also known as TensorSwap) is Tensor’s automated NFT marketplace, where trading NFTs is automated and has advanced order types. Think of it as an automated market maker (

), like those used in DeFi, but for NFTs instead of fungible tokens.

Unlike traditional NFT marketplaces, such as Magic Eden or 

, TensorSwap allows you to get paid. You can configure your maker fees and earn rewards for activities on the platform, especially setting orders. Best of all, you get to keep all the fees from your completed market orders. Additionally, TensorSwap helps to auto-manage your NFT portfolio by making sure you buy low and sell high in order to counteract emotionally charged trading.

Tensor Price Lock is an innovative feature that lets you 

 NFT prices by locking them in for seven days. When using this feature, you can be a taker (the one who buys a price lock) or a maker (the one who funds the price lock). Introduced on Jan 22, 2024, this feature allows those who fund price locks (in a similar way as liquidity providers in DeFi) to earn Tensor rewards from their NFTs.

Shared escrow is an innovative feature on Tensor that provides you with a capital-efficient way to bid for NFTs. You can place multiple bids, such as collection bids and trait bids, using the same pool of SOL tokens.

In order for the bid to remain fillable, you need to ensure that it’s less than or equal to the balance available on your shared escrow account. You can also activate purchase caps to set limits to the number of NFTs a particular order buys, protecting your shared escrow balance from being depleted.

YOLO Buy is a feature that lets you bid on your favorite NFT by placing a nonrefundable fee, which is a percentage of the listed fee. By placing more bids, you stand a better chance of winning the NFT, with up to 75% odds. The winner is determined through a free spin, whereby even those who lose the bid receive Tensor rewards. When an NFT is purchased through YOLO Buy, the maker (person who listed the NFT) receives 1.5% more from the purchase.

TNSR is Tensor's governance token, used to empower the community that manages key protocols on the platform. By holding TNSR, you can vote on various proposals, including those in the Tensor DAO that governs the proposal process. As a TNSR token holder, you also receive discounts on the platform, such as fees reduced by 25% if you list an NFT using TNSR.

TNSR has a total supply of 1 billion tokens. As with BLUR’s tokenomics, most of its total supply has been reserved for the community to power the airdrops program. The TNSR token allocation is as shown below:

You can buy Tensor on Bybit through its Spot trading platform as a 

 Spot trading pair, or on Bybit’s Derivatives platform as a USDT Perpetual contract (

 was $0.86, a 61.3% drop from its ATH of $2.23 on Apr 8, 2024, and an 15.8% increase from its ATL of $0.74 on May 1, 2024.

Price prediction experts are quite bullish on the future for TNSR. According to CoinCodex, TNSR’s price 

, though it sees a slight reduction to a high of $3.51 in 2030. Price experts on DigitalCoinPrice 

 on TNSR, believing the token will hit $$2.17 in 2025 and increase to $6.34 by 2030.

While these price predictions appear bullish, they aren’t a guarantee of TNSR’s future price. We highly recommend you 

 before investing in Tensor or any other altcoins.

Tensor has quickly become the second-largest NFT marketplace on Solana through its innovative approach of using blockchain technology to trade NFTs, and its community-focused model of rewarding members through airdrops.

Its innovative features, such as Price Locks and the TensorSwap AMM, could be game changers for the way NFTs are traded. As more liquidity continues to flow back into Solana, Tensor will be among the top projects to watch.

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Tensor (TNSR): Revolutionizing Solana's NFT Trading Infrastructure

Mysten Labs, the creator of the Layer 1 Sui protocol, celebrated its mainnet's first anniversary with significant growth and notable partnerships with major tech companies like Google and TikTok's parent company, ByteDance.

Daily Top Performer — Near Protocol (NEAR)

Last week, the SPX index is up 0.55%, and the jobs report for April indicated a slowdown in hiring, which fell short of expectations and was lower compared to March. Additionally, Berkshire Hathaway reported a significant reduction in its Apple holdings at its annual shareholder meeting. The broader cryptocurrency market is down, with Bitcoin and Ether dropping by 0.35% and 0.26%, respectively in the past 24 hours.

Today’s outperformer is NEAR, which jumped 8.0% after 

 enhances ecosystem scalability with NEAR Protocol Data Availability integration.

Near Protocol (NEAR), launched on April 2020, is a decentralized platform using sharding for efficient app development and operation. Prom has announced the integration of the NEAR Protocol Data Availability (DA) solution into its ecosystem. This strategic move aims to enhance scalability for rollup developers by offering low-cost, reliable, and high-performance data availability. The integration allows for greater flexibility in addressing blockchain architectural constraints and promises more updates in the future.

Check Out the Latest Prices, Charts, and Data of 

Mysten Labs, the creator of the Layer 1 Sui protocol, celebrated its mainnet's first anniversary with significant growth and notable partnerships with major tech companies like Google and TikTok's parent company, ByteDance. The CEO of Mysten Labs, Evan Cheng, expressed optimism about the future of blockchain technology, predicting a transformative "

" for web3. The company announced new ecosystem partnerships focused on enhancing security and scalability with Alibaba Cloud and Google Cloud, and developing web3 gaming and other digital initiatives with BytePlus. Despite facing stiff competition from other blockchains and having fluctuated in the rankings of total value locked (TVL), Sui remains a strong contender in the blockchain space, boasting robust transaction volumes.

Prices dropped from around $64,000 to below $57,000, with significant ETF outflows peaking at $563.7 million on May 1. Concurrently, Grayscale’s GBTC saw major outflows, while some ETFs like Ark Invest’s ARKB experienced inflows. 

 for its upcoming ZRO token airdrop, an essential milestone in the protocol's development aimed at fostering cross-chain interoperability. The airdrop, set to occur in the first half of 2024, has sparked significant anticipation within the DeFi community, evidenced by trading activity on Hyperliquid DEX, where ZRO's perpetual futures are priced at $8.4, indicating a $17 billion valuation. However, concerns persist about the potential adverse effects of Sybil users, who may exploit the airdrop for short-term gains, as seen in other recent airdrops, which could impact ZRO's price stability post-launch.

Beginner

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Mysten Labs Celebrates Sui Protocol's First Anniversary with Major Partnerships and Optimistic Outlook for Web3

Slash (SVL) is a decentralized platform revolutionizing crypto payments with solutions like Slash Payment and Slash Card for seamless transactions across different cryptocurrencies and fiat assets. 

One of the biggest crypto payment issues is the need to swap assets, sometimes more than once, to pay for a purchase. This is because there's often a mismatch between the tokens merchants are willing to accept and the assets held by a potential customer/payer. What’s more, the fees from these swaps can add up quickly on both sides of the purchase equation. 

, was supposed to solve these problems. However, these coins only partially addressed the issue, as different merchants still have various stablecoin preferences. In addition, cryptocurrency in general still struggles to move beyond the realms of 

). The quest to make crypto as common as fiat money for payments is still ongoing. 

Slash fintech (SVL), or simply Slash, is a decentralized project working to solve both issues. Slash aims to facilitate effortless, streamlined crypto payments both within and outside the DeFi domain, facilitating transactions in cryptocurrencies preferred by merchants and payers.

) that provides merchants with an easy-to-use, streamlined and secure way of accepting crypto payments.

 The platform's flagship products include Slash Payment, a crypto payment solution that lets users pay in their preferred cryptocurrency while enabling merchants to accept the payment in the asset of their choice, and Slash Card, an internationally recognized credit card utilizing established stablecoins as collateral.

Founded in 2021 by Japanese entrepreneur Shinsuke Sato, the Slash platform's operations were launched in mid-2022 on 

 platform. Thanks to its utilization of Mantle, Slash can offer users negligible transaction fees and near-instant finality. In late April 2024, Slash launched its native token — Slash Vision Labs (SVL).

In order to enable efficient crypto payments, Slash sources data from various DeFi protocols and pools to offer users the best swap rates and lowest transaction fees. All revenues collected by Slash go back to the stakers of the platform's SVL token.

The project's ecosystem includes several crypto payment and non-fungible token (

) products. Among these, two payment solutions — Slash Payment and Slash Card — stand out as its main products.

Slash Payment is the platform's primary crypto payment solution. It allows payers to use a crypto token of their choice to make payments, while in turn letting merchants accept the payment in their preferred cryptos. During transaction execution, Slash Payment checks in real time for the best swap rates and fees across numerous DeFi platforms to facilitate the payment. Consequently, payers can enjoy the lowest possible fees at all times.

At the same time, merchants pay no fees for accepting payments. Payment settlement is noncustodial and nearly instant. Another advantage of Slash Payment is the absence of 

 (KYC) requirements, which adds a significant degree of privacy and flexibility for transacting parties.

At the moment, Slash Payment supports nine blockchain networks, including major 

Slash Card is a service offered by the Slash platform that allows you to use two 

 — USDT and USDC — as collateral to acquire an internationally recognized credit card for online payments. By offering the card, Slash bridges the gap between cryptocurrencies and fiat assets.

It's a known fact that using your crypto assets with products such as credit cards isn't a widely offered option online, especially in the stringent regulatory landscape of Japan. Yet Slash Card stands out as a rare crypto-powered credit card product approved by the Japanese authorities for use in the nation's market and payment systems.

The project's ecosystem also includes the Slash Vaults platform, which enables 

 such as SVL around NFTs based on the ERC-721 standard. By wrapping the tokens around an NFT and turning the NFT into a key, users create their own crypto vaults, enabling the deposit, withdrawal, timelock and investment of the tokens. Tokens deposited into the vaults can be used for payments with the platform's Slash Vaults Pay solution.

Alice NFT is a cyberpunk-themed NFT collection released by the Slash project. The collection consists of 10,000 NFTs, each depicting a cyberpunk-styled individual. The collection has 20 different cyberpunk characters, with the main character named Alice, hence the collection name.

The collection is based on the Ethereum blockchain. In early April 2024, Slash announced the 

 that facilitates the transfer of Alice NFTs (see link in this sentence) from Ethereum to Mantle.

Slash Vision Labs (SVL) is the platform's native cryptocurrency. It's an 

 token based on Mantle Network, and its main functions include 

. The governance function is enhanced by timelocking more SVL (and for a longer period) in the Slash Vaults platform. Timelocking SVL also provides rewards in the form of wrapped BTC (

The SVL token is also used to facilitate the revenue-sharing arrangement on Slash. SVL stakers are entitled to 100% of the protocol revenues generated from the Slash Payment and Slash Card products. The protocol uses the revenues to buy Mantle Network's native MNT token off the market. These funds are then distributed to holders of SVL TimeLock NFTs, which are 

 non-fungible assets issued to SVL stakers.

 asset, with a total and maximum supply of 10 billion. Token supply allocation shares are per the chart below.

When you stake your SVL tokens on Slash, you’re issued a soulbound SVL TimeLock NFT. Soulbound tokens (SBTs) are nontransferable assets tied to a particular wallet, and typically serve as a form of decentralized identity. SVL TimeLock NFTs are used as confirmation of your staking and entitle you to other benefits, such as participation in on-platform governance processes. Upon un-staking your SVL funds, the NFTs are 

In addition to SVL TimeLock NFTs, the staking process on Slash involves another type of NFT — KeyNFT. Only certain whitelisted NFT collections on Mantle can act as KeyNFTs. These NFTs grant you the right to access the SVL staking process. Thus, they act as a form of cryptographic key for staking. In contrast, an SVL TimeLock NFT is issued upon staking and serves as a "confirmation certificate" for your staked funds. 

The abovementioned Alice is one of the whitelisted NFT collections that can be used to access SVL staking. Another collection whitelisted for KeyNFTs is VeryLongSlash NFT, an SBT whose 

Among the collections that can be used as KeyNFTs is 

. This special collection was distributed by the project via an airdrop in late April 2024 to celebrate the launch of Slash Vision Portal version 0.75. As part of the campaign, SVL stakers earned Genesis NFTs and were eligible for a share of the 50,000 MNT prize pool. These NFTs also entitle their holders, as early adopters, to additional on-platform benefits in the future.

The SVL token is available through Bybit's 

 portal, a platform for decentralized, efficient and low-cost crypto asset swaps. It supports tokens from various blockchain platforms and offers other benefits, such as no KYC requirements, one-step swaps, support for new tokens unavailable on most other platforms and fully on-chain transactions.

In addition to Web 3 Swap, the SVL token is also available on Bybit's Spot market (

). Bybit's Spot and Derivatives markets provide you with opportunities to trade hundreds of cryptocurrencies and crypto-based products. If you don't have a Bybit account, you can easily 

 to access our extensive range of crypto products and assets.

Navigating numerous exchanges and liquidity protocols to find the best swap rates is a challenging and time-consuming activity for crypto users. Slash’s unique platform greatly simplifies this process. In fact, with Slash Payment, there's no need to bother with swap operations at all — it's all automated to deliver you the best rates for a given transaction. Additionally, Slash Card is a unique product and valuable tool for anyone who would like to put their cryptocurrency funds to use outside of the 

With these innovative products, Slash is bound to gain notice among the broader crypto user and merchant communities. As crypto payments become more actively used, we'll undoubtedly be hearing more about Slash fintech and its unique products.

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Slash (SVL): Making Crypto Payments Effortless

Tech Deep Dive

Wondering what is Arbitrum? From lower costs to faster transaction speeds, here's all you need to know about Arbitrum's scaling potential.

CM_EN.png

Ethereum has grown so much that it’s having trouble keeping up with demand. Powering almost 

, completing over 150,000 transactions per day with over 50,000 daily active users, it’s become apparent that even 

 won’t be scalable enough long-term. That’s why Ethereum scaling solutions such as Arbitrum are crucial to the long-term success of the 

Layer 2 solutions, including sidechains, channels, and rollups, provide Ethereum users and developers with increased speed and security without the price tag. Let’s discuss what is Arbitrum and how it takes rollups to the next level — for both beginners and advanced crypto enthusiasts.

What Is Arbitrum and What Is It Used For? 

 designed to facilitate more transaction volume on the blockchain network at a lower cost. It uses the same tooling as Ethereum, so DApp developers can quickly, easily, and securely deploy apps on Ethereum using Arbitrum. 

In short, for those wondering what is Arbitrum and what it’s used for, Arbitrum is meant to 

, prevent fraud and lower the cost of operating on the Ethereum blockchain network. This Ethereum scaling solution will make DApp development seamless, fast, and secure by providing developers with an Ethereum-based platform that limits data stored 

Ethereum scaling solutions are used to make 

 networks faster and increase their ability to handle a high volume of transactions. Examples of Layer 1 networks include Ethereum and Bitcoin. Layer 1 solutions aim to alter the protocol of the blockchain network itself, instead of adding an additional processing layer. 

, which means it’s an extension to Layer 1 that’s enabled by smart contracts which are built on-chain. Arbitrum creates additional space for transactions to be processed. The solution executes transactions off-chain before reporting back to the mainchain, enhancing speed, lowering costs, and maintaining the 

To develop a deeper understanding and know what is Arbitrum along with its uses on 

, let’s talk about some different types of Layer 2 Ethereum scaling solutions and discover where Arbitrum fits into the mix. 

Sidechains are where Layer 1 scaling began. Sidechains work by running a parallel blockchain network alongside the 

. Although sidechains are essentially extra Layer 1 space, they aren’t secured by Layer 1 and are less decentralized. The problem is they can be manipulated by fraudulent validators, and the security standards may vary from chain to chain. 

Sidechains represent a shift in how developers intend to execute transactions using blockchain. Instead of maintaining a single ledger, sidechains introduce a blockchain model built with numerous layers integrated into the main blockchain network. 

 framework offloads transaction execution to sidechains — but with a twist that ensures extra scalability. Through the use of smart contracts and 

, plasma enables an unlimited number of sidechains, or child chains, to be created and designed to work in a specific way to meet the various needs of the main blockchain network. 

, which ensure secure and enforceable exchangeability. That means any user can send funds to another user in their native platform coin faster and with less latency.

Going deeper down the blockchain scalability rabbit hole, we arrive at state channels and payment channels. Channels are 

 that allow users to make a certain number of off-chain transactions with only two transactions occurring on-chain. 

Participants have to create and fund an Ethereum transaction when they open up a new channel. While the channel is open, off-chain transactions can occur. When users are ready to close the channel, they are charged again to process the transactions. 

The channel mechanism decreases the number of transactions processed on the Ethereum network and limits gas fees for opening and closing the channel. 

More specifically, payment channels are meant to transfer funds between users, and state channels are designed to create a fee-less conduit between two parties by locking up a portion of the blockchain. Because everything occurs within the sidechain channel between two participants, it’s a highly secure solution. But it lacks the ability to scale at higher volumes. 

Before diving into what is Arbitrum, we’ll first need to discuss rollups. Rollups have become one of the most popular contract-based scaling solutions for blockchain applications. Rollups scale the mainchain by essentially “rolling up” transactions into a batch, and validating them off-chain. By rolling up and compressing the data, rollups allow higher throughput, more speed, and lowered transaction costs. 

There are two main kinds of rollups: ZK (zero knowledge) and Optimistic Rollups.

, or “zero-knowledge scalable transparent arguments of knowledge,” to validate data and perform computations off-chain. The validity proof is attached to each data bundle while still having the ability to perform increased numbers of transactions. The 

 represents powerful security, since it’s publicly verifiable proof that something is true without having to reveal its state, what it is, and in what amount. 

Optimistic rollups limit on-chain computation by performing proof of confirmation only if a node suspects that a fraudulent transaction is occurring. By performing validity proofs only when fraud is suspected, optimistic rollups increase transaction speed and throughput even further. 

If you’ve ever wondered what is Arbitrum, it’s an advanced Optimistic Rollup that stores very little data on-chain for optimal scalability. Arbitrum is built on the Ethereum network and allows for up to 

 per second (TPS). That‘s faster than 

 (Consensus Layer) expectation of about 3,000 TPS. Arbitrum works with all Ethereum developer tools, including the 

 smart contract. Numerous integration options provide standard Ethereum front-end tooling for Arbitrum, making it easy to work with — and simple to build and deploy DApps. 

Now that you know what is Arbitrum, it’s now time to understand how it works. Arbitrum follows the off-chain Optimistic protocol managed by a contract on the Ethereum chain. In a nutshell, it works by validating transactions off-chain before sending confirmation back to the blockchain. Developers can create smart contracts 

, and then compile them into code that runs on the Arbitrum virtual machine. 

A Merkle tree organizes the state of the Arbitrum Virtual Machine so that the cryptographic hash value can be calculated. The hash is then stored on-chain so that the state can be fully confirmed and finalized. Only the hash values of the final state are stored on-chain. 

The state of the virtual machine is advanced when participants in an agreement propose a DA, or disputable assertion. The assertion says that the virtual machine will execute a certain amount when calculated. Each participant in the agreement needs to bet a deposit to ensure the assertion’s validity. 

If the DA is valid, the system will enter the new state. If the DA is invalid, it’s rejected by Arbitrum, and the state will not change. 

 to process multiple DAs, while the verification node takes care of how fast it can be processed. Additionally, malicious participants can’t delay the system as with other protocols. This was customized for Arbitrum prior to their Nitro upgrade which now uses a standard and well-supported compiler on Ethereum known as Geth.

One of the most important things to understand about 

 is that there’s no need for trust. As long as there is one honest participant in an agreement, then the Arbitrum virtual machine will advance correctly, no matter if the correct branch is bet on or not. A path of trust is created over time as participants execute valid transactions with Arbitrum. 

How Arbitrum Overcomes Ethereum’s Limitations

Ethereum has gained a lot of traction since it first launched in 2015. But 

, preventing the network from reaching its fullest potential. Without scalability, developers are also limited by what the network can do and how many transactions it can process. Essentially, blockchain technology has hit a wall regarding scalability — and that’s precisely where Arbitrum can propel Ethereum forward. 

What is the blockchain trilemma? Simply put, it means scaling, decentralization and security. It has proven difficult for blockchain projects to 

 of all three. Finding a solution to this blockchain trilemma can help change the way we think about cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. 

Right now, blockchains rely on rollups like Arbitrum to complete the trifecta and create a secure, scalable and decentralized blockchain. Let’s talk about some of the ways that Arbitrum overcomes Ethereum’s limitations. 

Ethereum can only perform about 10 TPS, but Arbitrum can handle up to 40,000 

. That’s 4,000 times faster than Ethereum alone, the most widely used L1 platform in the world. 

A common problem among popular Layer 1 networks, such as Ethereum and Bitcoin, is high gas fees. Fees for 

 can cost anywhere from 1.5% to 2.3%. Arbitrum makes it possible to complete large volumes of transactions with much less gas — and they’re working on reducing fees even further. 

 out of all the Layer 2 solutions, making it an easy pick for those who know what is Arbitrum. It’s easy to use, simple for developers to understand, and powerful enough to scale on the Ethereum blockchain. 

Arbitrum is especially beneficial for developers. It’s compatible with EVM and uses Solidity code, without compiler or version restrictions. There’s also no 

, so smart contract developers can take their projects to the next level. 

Even though Ethereum 2.0 supporters are convinced that rollups will be obsolete after its full rollout, it’s clear that Arbitrum rollups are aligned to reach unprecedented scalability. Some Layer 2 blockchains plan to release their own coins, but Arbitrum has indicated that it’s a transaction-focused organization.

 and is now running live on their mainnet. At its core, Nitro changes the way Arbitrum's engine works such that it can be written and compiled using standard languages and tools instead of the custom designs used previously.

Essentially, Arbitrum Nitro provides the network with a ton of improvements. This includes 10 times more in throughput, further lowering transaction costs on Arbitrum, 

interoperability, and creating a safer environment when passing messages from Arbitrum to Ethereum.

Arbitrum currently does not have a native coin and may be releasing one in the future. While Arbitrum has been live on the mainnet for around a year, the team has not mentioned anything around a native coin for the ecosystem. That said, it is worth mentioning that their competitor, Optimism airdropped its native coin months after making its platform available for testing and the OP airdrop was given to users who interacted with multiple facets on the Optimism network. 

Arbitrum and Optimism built on what Polygon was unable to accomplish. Although 

 is free, Arbitrum and Optimism have features that other rollups can’t compare with. They’re both built directly into the Ethereum mainchain, providing optimal 

Although Arbitrum and Optimism have several similarities, it’s their differences that set them apart. Let’s discuss some of these similarities and differences in more detail — so that you can decide which rollup is the best option for your purposes. 

Similarities Between Arbitrum and Optimism

After going through the basics of scaling solutions and what is Arbitrum and Optimism, it’s important to understand that both Arbitrum and Optimism are considered Optimistic Rollups. We briefly covered these in a previous section about 

What Is Arbitrum: Optimistic Rollups to Solve Scaling Without Compromise

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