Polygon Labs Transitions Development Emphasis from Edge to CDK for Layer 2 ZK-Rollups

Polygon Labs’ Strategic Shift from Edge to CDK

Polygon Labs has officially announced the cessation of contributions to its Edge framework, previously known as Supernets. The decision is part of a strategic pivot by Polygon Labs, indicating a shift in development priorities over the past year.

The spotlight now shifts to the Chain Development Kit (CDK), signaling a move away from Edge. Polygon Labs has announced the discontinuation of contributions to its Edge framework, also known as Supernets. The decision is part of a significant pivot in the development priorities of the Polygon team, redirecting their attention to the expansion of the Chain Development Kit (CDK).

Polygon CDK Takes Center Stage

The spotlight now turns to the Polygon CDK, a toolkit specifically crafted for the development of Layer 2 ZK-Rollups. These networks, built using zero-knowledge proofs, are designed to be interoperable within a broad network.

The decision to prioritize CDK over Edge aligns with Polygon’s vision for a unified ecosystem of ZK-powered Layer 2 solutions.

Several noteworthy projects, including Immutable, OKX, Astar, Canto, Palm Network, Aavegotchi, IDEX, Nubank, and Manta Network, have expressed interest in leveraging the Polygon CDK for the development of their Layer 2 networks.

Polygon Labs clarified that CDK-deployed chains would seamlessly integrate within the broader web of ZK-powered Layer 2s in the Polygon CDK ecosystem, creating a unified pool of liquidity. These features, Polygon notes, are not natively supported by Edge and necessitate migration with substantial modifications.

Currently, Polygon employs two primary scaling methods: Polygon PoS, a sidechain, and Polygon zkEVM, a zero-knowledge rollup network. The 2.0 upgrade, a key focus for Polygon Labs slated for release in 2024, aims to establish an ecosystem of multiple chains enhanced with zero-knowledge capabilities.