Table of Contents

We are excited to share the news that Astar zkEVM is now being powered by Gelato’s zkRollup as a Service (zkRaaS)!

Astar Network aims to simplify the way enterprises adopt web3, giving developers well-tested tools while offering users a familiar and comfortable experience. The Astar zkEVM, utilizing Gelato’s zkRaaS infrastructure, allows for fast transactions & low fees, and with security provided by the Ethereum network, offers an easy onramp for developers due to its compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).

Choosing a platform to host the Astar zkEVM on was a critical decision. Astar Network requires a solution that works seamlessly; not simply the infrastructure, but also the additional services required for smooth operations. Gelato’s zkRaaS platform was a perfect fit, providing hosting, monitoring, and operational services for Astar’s new Layer 2 on Ethereum. Gelato brings together various essential web3 services on a single platform, supported by a decentralized network of infrastructure node operators.

Gelato’s zkRaaS solution speeds up our development process, playing a crucial role in helping Astar succeed in the web3 space without the need for additional engineering talent. —Maarten Henskens, Head of Foundation at Astar Network

Learn more about Gelato services available on Astar zkEVM:

Web3 Functions: Connect your smart contracts to off-chain data & computation by running decentralized cloud functions.
Block Explorer: via Blockscout integration
Automation: Automate your smart contracts by executing transactions automatically in a reliable, developer-friendly & decentralized manner.
Relay: Give your users access to reliable, robust, and scalable gasless transactions via a simple-to-use API.
Account Abstraction SDK: Gelato has partnered with Safe, to build a fully-fledged Account Abstraction SDK, combining Gelato’s industry best gasless transaction capabilities, with the industry’s most secure smart contract wallet.

Benefits for the Japanese market:

Major Japanese companies can now use and scale web3 technologies on the Ethereum blockchain, thanks to Astar zkEVM, Gelato, and Polygon CDK.

Astar’s new L2 is designed to be an Ethereum ecosystem gateway for Japanese companies looking to use blockchain technology. With partnerships with Gelato zkRaaS and Polygon secured, Astar is providing a robust and reliable infrastructure to support a growing ecosystem, while moving the network closer towards becoming the foundation for the next billion web3 users.

The Astar zkEVM is scheduled to roll out as testnet in late October 2023, which will allow Astar to engage with Ethereum’s extensive developer and user communities! Get involved with Astar zkEVM today!

About Gelato

Gelato is web3’s decentralized backend empowering builders to create augmented smart contracts that are automated, gasless & off-chain aware on all major EVM-compatible blockchains including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Polygon, Optimism, zkSync, and many more. Over 400+ web3 projects have relied on Gelato for years to power the execution of millions of transactions across DeFi, NFT, and Gaming.

About Astar Network

Astar Network is the gateway for projects across enterprises, entertainment & gaming in Japan and beyond, driving global adoption and delivering web3 to billions. It leverages a cross-virtual machine powered by Polygon and Polkadot to offer customizable blockchain solutions that accelerate web3 adoption. With zk-powered Ethereum L2 Scaling (zkEVM), EVM, Wasm, and a cutting-edge ecosystem, Astar delivers robust, secure, and interoperable web3 technology. Astar zkEVM is the new Layer-2 solution to scale a web3 experience on Ethereum with zero knowledge (ZK) technology. Astar Network adds an EVM equivalent environment that is seamlessly compatible with existing smart contracts, developer tools, and wallets on Ethereum.