Polygon zkEVM Gets an Upgrade: Elderberry Brings ROM Optimizations to Mainnet Beta

• Polygon Labs has started a 10-day timelock for the Elderberry upgrade on the Polygon zkEVM Mainnet Beta, enhancing network efficiency.
• The upgrade includes important ROM optimizations and builds on the previous Etrog update, with testing available on the Cardona Testnet.

Polygon Labs has initiated a significant upgrade for the Polygon zkEVM Mainnet Beta, known as the Elderberry upgrade, signaling a notable advancement in the network’s capabilities. This development commenced with a 10-day timelock, starting February 27, 2024, paving the way for enhanced network performance and security. The Elderberry upgrade introduces pivotal ROM optimizations and crucial fixes to streamline the network’s operations and bolster its infrastructure.

The Read-Only Memory (ROM), which is crucial to the network’s transaction execution logic, has some important optimizations included as the cornerstone of the Elderberry upgrade. By improving upon the gains made by the earlier Etrog update, these modifications are intended to reduce certain out-of-counter mistakes. As an important component of the network ecology, the ROM plays a role similar to that of the Ethereum EVM Interpreter in Polygon zkEVM.

Developers and network users can view the node and prover changelogs on GitHub for comprehensive details on the upgrade’s details. The announcement describes the improvements in the prover’s version 5.0.0 and the node’s version 0.6.0, providing information about the technological improvements and how they affect the network’s functionality.

Testing and Implementation

Prior to its deployment on the Mainnet Beta, the Elderberry upgrade is subjected to rigorous testing on the Polygon zkEVM Cardona Testnet. The stability and performance of the upgrading in practical settings are guaranteed by this procedure. Connecting to the testnet with the provided network information, such as the RPC URL, Chain ID, and currency symbol, allows developers and users who want to take part in the test phase.

The stability and input received during testing serve as a roadmap for the testnet to the mainnet switch. The Elderberry upgrade is expected to be live on the mainnet on March 07, 2024, assuming no major problems occur. All network users can experience a smooth transition and minimal disruptions thanks to this strategic approach that enables seamless upgrade integration.

The Elderberry upgrade’s rollout is designed to be as non-disruptive as possible, requiring minimal action from end users and decentralized application (dApp) developers. The primary responsibility for updating to the latest node, prover, and bridge service versions falls upon infrastructure developers, who play a crucial role in maintaining the network’s backbone. This ensures that the network remains robust and efficient, supporting the growing demands of the Polygon zkEVM ecosystem.

Network Performance Sees Hope with Update

The recent update to Polygon’s zkEVM could not have been timelier. Analytical data from Artemis highlighted a concerning decline in the L2’s network activity, with daily active addresses plummeting last week.

This downtrend was mirrored in the network’s daily transactions, suggesting a reduced utilization across the board. However, it wasn’t all gloomy for Polygon’s L2 solution. The DeFi sector within zkEVM exhibited resilience, with the Total Value Locked (TVL) experiencing a notable increase, indicating sustained interest and investment in decentralized finance applications on the platform.

Amidst a struggling network activity backdrop, the price of MATIC, Polygon’s native token, exhibited a bullish trend. In an impressive display of market resilience, MATIC’s value surged by over 11% in the last 24 hours. This positive momentum starkly contrasts the broader bearish market conditions, with MATIC’s daily chart remaining predominantly green. At the time of reporting, MATIC was trading at $0.8869, boasting a market capitalization exceeding $8.5 billion.