Summary
The Arbitrum Foundation has launched the Arbitrum Expansion Program, which allows participants to create customized Layer 2 and Layer 3 networks on top of the Arbitrum Orbit tech stack. Users can modify Orbit to build Layer 2 networks that settle on the Ethereum mainnet or Layer 3 networks that utilize Arbitrum or other Ethereum Layer 2s for finalization. The program enables the development of chains with custom gas tokens, native account abstractions, and alternative data availability solutions. Participants are expected to contribute a portion of their profits back to the Arbitrum ecosystem through a revenue-sharing model. The program is a response to similar initiatives from Ethereum scalability teams like Optimism and Matter Labs.
Key Points
1. The Arbitrum Foundation has introduced the Arbitrum Expansion Program, which allows participants to launch customized Layer 2 and Layer 3 networks using the Arbitrum Orbit tech stack. This program enables the development of chains with custom features and settlement options on the Ethereum mainnet or other Layer 2 networks.
2. Users of the program can freely customize Layer 3 networks built on top of Arbitrum One and Nova L2s, but other deployments must share revenue with the Arbitrum DAO. A portion of profits generated by these networks will be contributed back to the Arbitrum ecosystem, with 8% going to the Arbitrum DAO and 2% supporting the newly-launched Arbitrum Developer Guild.
3. The Arbitrum Expansion Program is a response to similar initiatives from rival Ethereum scalability teams, such as Optimism’s OP Stack and Matter Labs’ ZK Stack. These teams have also provided technology stacks that allow developers to launch customized Layer 2 networks. The competition between these teams highlights the growing importance of scalability solutions in the Ethereum ecosystem.