7Block Labs’ Insights on Layer-2 Explosion in DeFi

In the realm of decentralized finance (DeFi), Layer-2 solutions are really stealing the spotlight lately. So, let's jump into what's going on and why it's important.

What’s Layer-2?

Layer-2 is basically an extra layer that sits on top of an existing blockchain, like Ethereum. It's designed to help boost things like scalability, speed up transactions, and cut down on costs. So, if you're looking for a way to make those blockchain networks run smoother and more efficiently, Layer-2 is where it’s at! The key here is to really boost the user experience while still keeping everything secure.

Why the Buzz?

1. Scalability: As more people jump into the DeFi space, current blockchains are starting to feel the strain. Layer-2 solutions are a great way to smoothly manage the growing demands on the network.

2. Lower Fees: Honestly, those high gas fees can be such a pain, right? Layer-2 networks are great because they really help bring down transaction fees, which makes DeFi way more accessible for everyone.

3. Speedy Transactions: Let's be real--nobody enjoys hanging around waiting for their transactions to go through. Layer-2 really cuts down on the waiting time a lot.

Top Layer-2 Solutions

Let’s talk about some of the major players in the Layer-2 space that really deserve a shout-out.

• Polygon: Definitely a crowd-pleaser, Polygon has built quite a reputation for its solid scaling solutions. It’s no wonder so many projects are jumping on board!
• Optimism: This one’s all about optimistic rollups, which are designed to give you a nice boost in speed and efficiency.
• Arbitrum: This one’s definitely a heavy hitter too! Arbitrum is making waves in the crypto world by using optimistic rollups, and it's really starting to pick up steam.

The Future of DeFi and Layer-2

The Layer-2 scene is changing fast! With more and more projects jumping on board with these solutions, we can look forward to:

• More people are jumping on board because they're having a much better experience. There are some really cool and innovative DeFi products popping up lately! There's a lot more competition popping up among Layer-2 platforms, which is great news because it means prices are dropping even more.

Conclusion

The Layer-2 boom is really changing the game in the DeFi world, making it a lot easier to use and way more sustainable. As we gaze into the future, it’s going to be really exciting to watch how these solutions evolve and grow. I can’t wait to see what comes next! Definitely keep an eye on Layer-2! It's really a game changer!

the Concrete Headache DeFi Teams Hit in 2026

In 2026, DeFi teams were really feeling the pressure. They had to deal with a bunch of challenges while trying to keep up in a constantly shifting environment. Here are some of the main challenges and issues we’ve noticed:

1. Regulatory Pressure

As DeFi really started to take off, regulators began to take notice and pay closer attention. New rules and guidelines started coming in, and it had a lot of teams rushing to make sure they were on the right side of things. Building an awesome product is already a challenge on its own, and then you throw in the headache of rules and regulations changing all the time? Talk about an uphill battle!

2. Security Concerns

As hacks and exploits in the DeFi world have been on the rise, it’s clear that security needs to take center stage. Teams really had to put in a lot of effort and resources into audits and security measures to make sure their protocols were rock solid. Not only did this use up a lot of resources, but it also added a ton of stress for everyone in the community.

3. Scalability Issues

With so many new users hopping on board, DeFi platforms started to feel the pinch, and their systems had a tough time keeping pace. Scalability turned into a big challenge, and teams were putting in some serious hours to come up with smart solutions. They really needed to keep up with the rising demand while making sure performance didn’t take a hit.

4. User Experience Hurdles

Even if you’ve got some cool new features, a frustrating user experience can really push users away. DeFi teams really needed to prioritize making their platforms easy to use. That meant figuring out how to juggle all these complex features while keeping the interface simple and easy to use--it’s definitely a tricky balance to strike!

5. Competition Among Projects

The DeFi scene is super crowded, and making a name for yourself is definitely no walk in the park. With so many new projects popping up all the time, each one trying to grab users' attention, teams really had to think outside the box when it comes to their marketing strategies. It’s all about finding that special angle to stand out in such a crowded market!

Conclusion

Looking back at 2026, it’s pretty obvious that DeFi teams had their work cut out for them. They really dealt with some tough challenges. But you know what? Facing those challenges just made the community stronger. It sparked a wave of innovation and growth like never before! Fingers crossed that the road ahead is a little easier for everyone!

Hey there! Just wanted to give you a heads-up that there’s been an unexpected change in your L2 bill of materials. So, Ethereum just launched Dencun (that’s EIP-4844 for those in the know), and it's all about these cool blob-carrying transactions. The best part? The costs for rollups’ Layer 1 data have dropped dramatically--like, we’re talking over 10 times cheaper in many cases! But, on the flip side, the fee market is looking a little wild right now. Alright, so here’s the deal: You’ve got to keep an eye on execution gas, blob gas, and those surprise fee hikes that sometimes hit during things like airdrops and inscriptions. It’s definitely something to watch out for! There are days when it seems like fees are almost non-existent, and then suddenly, they shoot up out of nowhere. (investopedia.com).

Decentralization is definitely a work in progress. There's still a lot to sort out and figure out! Hey there! So, OP Stack has officially launched permissionless fault proofs and has made it to Stage 1, where the security council is stepping in as a backup. On the other hand, Arbitrum has introduced BoLD, which allows for permissionless validation, and they’ve also rolled out Stylus, bringing WASM to Arbitrum. Exciting times in the crypto space! These changes really shake up how we think about trust, and they also have an impact on when we decide to pull funds, the way we operate, and even how we approach bridge risk and MEV. (optimism.io).

Liquidity is beginning to split up across different Layer 2 solutions and appchains. OP Superchain is really hopping right now! Base has been crushing it with more than a million active addresses every single day and racking up millions of transactions daily. It's exciting to see such vibrant activity! Plus, Polygon’s AggLayer is live and kicking with those “pessimistic proofs.” And you know what? Cross-chain intents are really starting to catch on! It's pretty cool to see things like UniswapX teaming up with Across and ERC‑7683 for routing becoming the standard. If you’re not thinking about cross-rollup order flow, you could end up paying way more than you need to for acquisitions. (superchain.eco).

The decisions you make about your sequencer and DA architecture can really shape your business. So, whether you’re working with shared sequencers (just like in Espresso’s mainnet phase, where Astria was launched and then later pulled the plug), tapping into external DA layers like EigenDA, Celestia, or Avail, or going for a mix of posting strategies, all these choices are going to shape your unit economics, affect how quickly you can meet those latency service level objectives, and also play a big role in how you chat with your liquidity providers about the risks involved. If we mess this up, we could end up with really narrow margins and a messy cash flow situation. (espressosys.com).

Real-life events have really impacted people's trust and credibility. So, like, during the whole Velocore exploit situation, Linea had to hit the brakes on its sequencer. And on top of that, ZKsync faced some trouble too--somebody got into their admin-key airdrop contract and even took over a social media account! Wild times, right? The level of security and operations really depends on the stack you’re using. Plus, the parties you work with--like bridges and launchpads--can introduce some big risks. (theblock.co).

The Cost of Getting This Wrong

In our crazy, fast-paced lives, we tend to miss the little ways that irritation can affect us. Whether in our personal lives or at work, messing up can really add up to some hefty consequences. Alright, let’s jump into what agitation really is, why it’s important, and how you can handle it more effectively!

Understanding Agitation

So, basically, agitation is when you’re feeling all jittery or anxious. It’s that restless vibe you get when things are just a bit too much. You know that feeling when you're just a bit on edge? It can come from stress, dealing with conflicts, or even just being overwhelmed by too much information.

Forms of Agitation

• Emotional Agitation: This is that feeling you get when emotions start to pile up and you just feel totally swamped--like when sadness, anger, or anxiety hit you all at once.
• Physical Agitation: You might notice this as feeling restless or just unable to stay in one spot for long.
• Mental Agitation: This is when your thoughts are all over the place, making it really tough to zero in on just one thing.

Why Agitation Matters

If we brush off agitation, the consequences can really add up. Here are a few ways this can affect us:

1. Lower Productivity: When we're feeling agitated, it can really throw off our focus and make it harder to tackle our tasks. 2. Bad Decisions: When you’re feeling really worked up, it’s easy to rush into decisions that you could end up regretting down the line. 3. Strained Relationships: When you're feeling constantly on edge, it can really mess with how you talk to others. This tension can easily lead to misunderstandings and even arguments.

Managing Agitation

The great thing is, there are some really effective ways to handle agitation! A few strategies include:.

• Mindfulness and Meditation: Just carving out a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness can really help you feel more grounded.
• Physical Activity: Getting some exercise can really help shake off all that pent-up stress.
• Having a Chat: You know, sometimes just opening up to a friend about what’s bothering you can really help take some of that weight off your shoulders.

Final Thoughts

It's super important to notice when we’re feeling agitated and tackle it head-on for the sake of our well-being. If we take some time to manage it properly, we can steer clear of a lot of the mistakes that can happen when things go awry. Never underestimate how powerful a calm mind can be!

If you're looking for some great advice on handling stress and boosting your mental well-being, I definitely recommend checking out this article. It’s packed with helpful tips!

So, it looks like we've hit a bit of a snag this quarter. We need to focus on upgrading your DEX router to manage those ERC-7683 intents better, plus we're looking at adding an MEV tax on OP chains. Oh, and let’s not forget about reworking the batchers for those blob swings. All of this could realistically mean pushing your launch back by a sprint or maybe even three. It’s definitely a lot to tackle! While you're hanging out in that in-between space... Hey, just a heads up--your assumptions about CAC and LTV might take a hit if Base or Arbitrum manages to grab another 5-10% of the DEX market. If that happens, those token incentives you’ve got in place could end up just making bridging more complicated instead of helping. The number of DEX trades has actually doubled compared to last year! By mid-2025, Base is set to be rocking over 50% of all those trades, while L1's share has slipped down to about 5%. Pretty interesting shift in the trading landscape, right? If you weren't already active over there, your opportunities just shrank quite a bit. (dune.com). Incentives can sometimes feel like being on a treadmill. So, if you're not taking advantage of MEV-aware order flow--which basically means having priority ordering and an MEV tax in place--you might be missing out and inadvertently giving away some value to searchers and relayers.
So, basically, you'd have to crank up your output by about 20-40% just to maintain the same level of depth. (paradigm.xyz).

• You know, operations debt can really start to stack up. The BoLD upgrades are really going to change the game when it comes to how we handle dispute timing and the risks around withdrawals. If your incident runbooks and user communications aren’t current, you might find yourself dealing with days of preventable chaos and frustrated users the moment a counterparty decides to hit the brakes. (docs.arbitrum.io).

Picking the wrong tech stack can really chain you to some pretty mediocre unit economics.

• The costs and capacity for DA aren't set in stone. So, with Fusaka dropping on December 3, 2025, we're getting PeerDAS and those new Blob-Parameter-Only forks. They’re ramping targets up to 10/15 and then 14/21 blobs. It's definitely a step forward for predictability, but there's a catch! It’s messing with cost curves and complicating the whole idea that "blobs are free." It’s going to change the game a bit, for sure. It's time to tweak your budgeting and adjust your batch sizes a bit. (blog.ethereum.org). Using external data analysis has its pros and cons, just like anything else. Mantle’s EigenDA integration has really helped ramp up their operations, working with a wide range of operators. Meanwhile, Avail has introduced encrypted DA and is offering those speedy 250ms pre-confirms. Pretty impressive stuff! Absolutely, these can definitely help lower the costs per transaction or speed things up, but they also change how we think about security when it comes to Layer 1. So, be ready for procurement to have some serious questions about it! (mantle.xyz).

A disjointed user experience can seriously hurt your total value locked (TVL). If users can’t quickly make those intent-based swaps or bridges in real-time, and your system has a lag of more than 1 to 2 seconds, then on those wild, high-volatility days, you might see a spike in people leaving your site.
It looks like the order flow is probably going to start moving towards teams that have really mastered cross-chain intents and pre-confirms.

7Block Labs’ Approach to DeFi on L2s

Here at 7Block Labs, we've created a pretty cool approach that balances the technical side with a practical mindset for diving into DeFi on Layer 2 (L2) solutions. Here's our take on it:

Understanding the Basics

Alright, let’s start by getting a clear picture of what L2s are. So, basically, Layer 2 solutions are like add-ons for existing blockchain networks. They’re designed to make things faster and more efficient, helping to handle more transactions without breaking the bank. Imagine it’s like adding some extra lanes to a congested highway so that everything moves along more smoothly.

Our Pragmatic Approach

1. Focus on User Experience

When it comes down to it, what really matters is the users. Our main focus is on designing interfaces that feel natural and are simple to use. Let’s be honest--nobody enjoys wrestling with technology. That’s why we’ve designed our platforms to be super user-friendly. We want you to have a smooth experience!

2. Security is Key

Seriously, we can't emphasize this enough--security is our top priority. When we're putting together our DeFi solutions, we make sure to weave in strong security measures at every step of the way. This keeps both users and their valuables safe from a bunch of different threats.

3. Agility in Development

The crypto world moves at lightning speed, so we really need to stay on our toes! Our development team is totally geared up to jump on the latest innovations in DeFi whenever they come around. This helps us stay on top of things and keep up with the latest trends.

4. Collaboration with the Community

We really think that working together is super important. Getting involved with the community helps us collect feedback, figure out what users really want, and create a space where everyone can grow together. At the end of the day, DeFi is all about decentralization, and for us, that really means making sure everyone gets a chance to chime in.

Tools We Utilize

To really make our methodology shine, we use a bunch of different tools that help boost our development process. Here are some of our top picks:

• Smart Contract Platforms: So, we’ve got some great tools like Solidity and Vyper that really help us whip up secure and efficient smart contracts.
• Testing Frameworks: Tools like Truffle and Hardhat are super handy when it comes to testing our deployments. They really help us make sure everything's running smoothly before we go live.
• Analytics Tools: We love using platforms like Dune Analytics because they give us great insights into how our users behave. This way, we can tweak and enhance our services based on real data!

Conclusion

To sum it up, 7Block Labs is all about combining technical know-how with real-world practicality when it comes to building DeFi solutions on Layer 2s. We're all about making decentralized finance easy and efficient for everyone. By putting the spotlight on user experience, security, adaptability, and working together as a community, we hope to create a space that truly meets people's needs.

If you're curious about what we do or want to take a closer look at our projects, don’t hesitate to swing by our website. And of course, if you have any questions or just want to chat, reach out to us anytime!

We're all about optimizing gas, tackling MEV, and making sure liquidity stays efficient. And we do it all while keeping up a fast go-to-market pace! Usually, our DeFi projects roll out in three main phases, taking anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks to complete. Plus, we’ve got a 90-day pilot option if you want to give things a test run before diving in completely!

1) Architecture & Stack Selection (Week 0-2)

• Outcome: By the end of this process, you'll have a solid technical plan in hand--complete with all the costs laid out--that really fits with what you want to achieve for your business, whether that's in terms of total value locked (TVL), volume, or revenue/take rate.
• What we do:
• We create a customized L2 rubric specifically designed for your product: If you're looking to hit the market fast, OP Stack chains like Base, OP Mainnet, and Mode are definitely the way to go! These provide Stage-1 fault proofs and a competitive way to prioritize transactions to support the MEV tax. Take a look at this: optimism.io. You’ll find some interesting stuff there! If you're thinking about going with Arbitrum, you're in for a treat! It offers permissionless validation, which is pretty cool. Plus, there's Stylus (Rust/C/WASM) for those serious perpetual risk engines. It’s definitely a solid choice if you want to dive deep into the tech side of things! With Stylus, you can boost your execution speed by anywhere from 10 to 70 times! That’s a game-changer, especially when you’re looking to move models on-chain. More info here: docs.arbitrum.io. If cutting down on withdrawal times is really important to you, or if you're often checking proofs on Layer 1, you might want to check out ZK L2s like Scroll, Polygon zkEVM, or zkSync. They can really help streamline that process! Hey, just a heads up! After the whole ZKsync admin key situation back in 2025, make sure you’re keeping tabs on those operational guardrails. It’s super important! Check out the details here: coindesk.com. It's definitely worth a read!
  • DA strategy: We think a "Blob-first" strategy is the way to go after Fusaka. It’s all about being flexible with batch sizes and managing back-pressure on the calldata when those blob spikes hit. Just a quick reminder: make sure to re-tune after hitting the blob floor (EIP-7918) so you can keep that cost volatility under control! Hey, if you want to dive into the details, just hop over to this link: blog.ethereum.org. You'll find all the info you need! If you're looking for particular latency or cost needs, External DA (like EigenDA or Avail) might just be the perfect fit for you. Just keep an eye on those security deltas and make sure to communicate that to the LPs as needed. Check it out for more details at: mantle.xyz. You'll find some interesting insights there!
  • Interop: We’re here to help you create intuitive intents interfaces (ERC-7683) that’ll let you easily gather liquidity from all over, whether it’s Base, Arbitrum, OP, or other networks, all through one handy filler network.
    Also, we’re going to set up some cool UniswapX/Across style flows. Check this out: blog.uniswap.org. It’s definitely worth a read!
  • Deliverables: You can look forward to a pretty solid lineup of performance Service Level Objectives (SLOs), including p50 and p95 confirmation and some targets for price impact. We've also got a timing matrix for withdrawals and disputes, along with a cost forecast for delegation activities as we ramp up the blob targets. Plus, there are some really useful incident playbooks in the mix--think sequencer pauses and validator challenges. It's all designed to keep things running smoothly!

Protocol & Contracts (Week 2-8)

• Outcome: Our main goal is to build smart contracts that are super efficient with gas, aware of MEV, and ready to work across different blockchains while also being easy to monitor.
• What we do:
• Gas optimization designed specifically for L2: Alright, let’s kick things off with what really matters: we’re all about optimizing for bytes. Why? Because making sure we have access to data (DA) is crucial! So, basically, that involves techniques like packing calldata, cutting down on events, and taking advantage of batch compression methods--think RLE or bit-packing. Plus, we also focus on smart storage layouts to keep the witness size manageable when proofs are being used. It's all about keeping things efficient! Once EIP-4844 rolls out, you'll notice that the savings from data compression really outshine those little opcode tweaks we’ve been hearing about. (coingecko.com). For the OP Stack, we’re adding MEV tax hooks to create a competitive priority ordering system. By doing this, automated market makers (AMMs) and routers can grab hold of value instead of watching it slip through their fingers. We've got some super user-friendly tax modules that work perfectly with Paradigm's "Priority Is All You Need" approach. ” (paradigm.xyz). So, over on Arbitrum, we're really tapping into Stylus for those heavy-duty tasks, you know, the stuff like risk checks and pricing kernels. We're basically making calls from Solidity to Rust libraries, and let me tell you, it gives us a major boost in terms of compute and memory efficiency--think anywhere from 10 to 70 times better! How cool is that? (docs.arbitrum.io).
  • Cross-chain order flow:
    Hey everyone! We’re excited to share that we’re introducing ERC-7683 intents and launching solver networks. This is going to make things like “swap” and “redeposit” happen seamlessly across different chains. No more frustrating bridging hiccups for our users! (blog.uniswap.org).
  • Security and operations:
    We've got the right controls set up for each stage. With OP Stage-1, there’s a backup plan in place with the Security Council. We also handle the circuit breakers and keep our users in the loop with communications for those tricky situations like dispute game resets and withdrawal re-verifications. With BoLD, we're rolling out some new bonds and timings that you'll want to keep in mind when you're thinking about withdrawals. (docs.optimism.io).
  • Deliverables:
    You can look forward to having some solid Solidity or Stylus Rust contracts that have been thoroughly audited. Plus, we'll provide on-chain metrics, including details like gas usage and ink per path. We'll also set you up with user-friendly intent interfaces and dashboards that clearly display your blob fee exposure.

3) GTM & Liquidity (Week 6-12, Overlaps)

During this time, we're really going to hone in on our go-to-market strategies while also keeping an eye on our liquidity situation.
We're diving into the details, and it's such an exciting time!

• GTM Strategies: Our goal here is to fine-tune our marketing and sales approaches so we can connect with our target audiences in the best way possible.
  Alright, team! This week, let's put our heads together and think about the channels we can tap into and figure out what kind of messaging really clicks with our audience.
• Liquidity Focus: Staying on top of our liquidity is super important. We'll take a close look at our cash flow and funding sources to make sure we're all set. It’s a good idea to be ready for any surprises that might come your way! You never know what life has in store for you.
• Finding Common Ground: While we explore GTM strategies and liquidity, we’ll be on the lookout for connections where our marketing initiatives can help boost financial stability. You know, running some promotional campaigns could not only help boost our sales but might also give our cash flow a nice little lift.

Hey everyone, let's keep in sync from Weeks 6 to 12 so we can crush our goals together!

• Outcome: We're really hoping to see a good number of people adopting this, plus we're looking to see some positive changes in both cost-per-action and the take-rate.
• What we do:
• Choosing the right chain for launch waves: We’re starting things off by diving into Base because it has a really solid order flow--basically, a ton of daily active users and transactions buzzing around. Plus, we’re leveraging OP Mainnet to really make that Superchain magic happen. And hey, we’re also bringing Arbitrum into the picture for all you perpetual and whale traders out there! By the end of 2024, the Superchain was buzzing with hundreds of millions of transactions every month! And guess what? Base has really been leading the charge in terms of OP-stack profits and activity in 2025. This is definitely where all the retail excitement is taking place! (superchain.eco).
  • Incentives design: We're focusing on directing emissions towards pairs that use MEV tax and cross-chain fillers. What this really means is that when your contracts hang onto some MEV, it gives your “gross to net” slippage a pretty significant lift.
• Helping out partners and market makers with compliance and procurement: We're focused on getting everything sorted out by clearly laying out our data access and security assumptions, withdrawal timelines, and how we handle incidents. This way, we can keep those risk committees satisfied, especially after the bumps we faced in 2024-2025 (like the Linea pause and the ZKsync admin key situation). (theblock.co).
  • Deliverables: We'll put together a KPI pack that will cover things like cost-per-swap, how successful fills are across different chains, the percentage of MEV recapture, time-to-finality, and a blended take-rate.

Launch a Cross-Rollup Spot DEX in 10 Weeks with Intents and MEV-Tax

Are you excited to explore the world of decentralized exchanges? Let’s unpack it together! Here’s a game plan to launch a cross-rollup spot DEX in just 10 weeks, and we’re including some cool features like intents and an MEV-tax. Sounds interesting, right? Let’s get into it! Sounds pretty ambitious, doesn’t it? But hey, just hang in there with me!

Week 1: Research & Planning

Alright, let’s kick things off! You’ll want to dive into some research--whether that means flipping through some books or browsing online--so you can collect all the info you need. This week’s all about:.

• Understanding cross-rollup technologies.
• Checking out the current decentralized exchanges (DEXes) and seeing what cool features they offer.
• Putting together a simple business plan that lays out your vision.

Make sure to take a look at resources like Ethereum's documentation if you want to really understand the technology. It's a great way to get the hang of things!

Week 2: Team Assembly

Let's be real--no successful project comes together in a bubble! You've got to put together a solid team of:

• Developers: We're looking for folks who are skilled at managing smart contracts and also know their way around front-end development.
• Designers: Their job is to create a platform that's not only easy to use but also looks great.
• Marketing pros: They can help you come up with some awesome strategies for your launch and promotion plans.

Week 3: Define Requirements

By week three, it's time to dive into the details and nail down what you need from your platform. Let's break it down!

So, which blockchains are you going to support? So, what features are you thinking about adding? Things like limit orders, liquidity pools, or anything else that catches your interest? So, how are we going to roll out the MEV-tax system?

Week 4: Prototyping

Alright, it’s time to bring your ideas to life! Let’s get started on building that prototype for your DEX.
Focus on:.

• A basic version of the product, often called a minimal viable product (MVP), that has all the essential features.
• Collaborating closely with your design team to really refine that user interface.

Week 5: Smart Contract Development

Now that you've got your prototype ready, it's time to dive into some smart contracts!

• Draft up the contracts for token swaps, liquidity contributions, and the MEV tax. Be sure to really put those contracts to the test! You want to catch any potential issues before they turn into unwanted surprises later on.

Check out this straightforward example of a smart contract snippet for a swap:

function swapTokens(uint256 amountIn, address tokenIn, address tokenOut) public {
    // Logic for swapping tokens
}

Week 6: Integration

Great! Now that you've got your smart contracts ready to go, it's time to bring them into your prototype. Let's get started!

• Link up your front-end with those smart contracts of yours!
• Make sure the way the user interface connects with the blockchain is smooth and effortless.

Week 7: Testing & QA

Testing is super important! Grab your team and dive into:

• Writing unit tests for your smart contracts.
• Let's run some user tests on the front end to catch any bugs or tricky interfaces that might confuse people.

Here’s your checklist:

• The ability to use smart contracts.
• Navigating through the app or website.
• Time to dive into load testing!

Week 8: Feedback & Iteration

Take a moment to hit pause and gather some feedback from your testers. Give this a go to make your product even better:

• Make some adjustments to the UI based on how users are interacting with it.
• If necessary, go ahead and fine-tune those smart contracts.

Week 9: Marketing Prep

Hey everyone, we’re really close to launching! Let’s put our energy into marketing strategies this week.

• Get people talking on social media!
• Jump into crypto forums and communities to connect with potential users.
• Get your launch event or announcement all set up!

Week 10: Launch!

You’ve finally reached launch week--how exciting! Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to tackle:

• Go ahead and launch your smart contracts on the mainnet! Get your DEX up and running, and don’t forget to stay in touch with your users. Their feedback is super important! Keep an eye on the platform and be prepared to tweak things based on how users are interacting with it.

And that's a wrap! In just 10 weeks, you’re all set to kick off your very own cross-rollup spot DEX. Exciting times ahead! Wishing you all the best! And hey, make sure to take a moment to celebrate all the effort you’ve put in! You deserve it!

• Stack: We’re starting with the OP Stack, which includes Base and OP Mainnet. By week 10, we’re excited to introduce an Arbitrum add-on to the mix!
• Why: With OP Stage-1 fault proofs and that handy priority ordering, we’re all set to jump into intent settlement (ERC-7683). Plus, we’re rolling out a smart-contract MEV tax that scoops up a slice of those solver priority fees for our liquidity providers. Take a look at this link: (optimism.io). You won’t want to miss it!
• What changed post-2025:
  Thanks to Fusaka’s blob floor and PeerDAS, we can finally say goodbye to those frustrating times when blob fees just sit there at 1 wei during the slow periods. On top of that, we're bumping up our capacity to 14/21 blobs, which is awesome for predictability and really gives us some extra wiggle room. We're fine-tuning our batch size and how often we post as we move along. If you want to dig a little deeper into it, check it out here: (blog.ethereum.org). It's got all the details you need!
• Specs we implement:
  • ERC-7683 intents router
• We've got on-chain auctions that come with an MEV tax.
  • Calldata-light path encodings
    When blob base fees shoot up, it puts some pressure on the calldata.
  • Per-pair circuit breakers
• Expected business impact (according to our ecosystem data):
• You can expect to see a lot more of your order flow mingling where the users are! By late 2024 or into 2025, Base and Superchain will be racking up quite a few transactions. In May 2025, DEX trade volume saw some impressive growth, doubling compared to the previous year. What's even more remarkable is that Base was responsible for more than half of all those trades! Hey, if you're curious, you can find all the details right here: superchain.eco. Take a look!

On-Chain Perp Risk Engine with Arbitrum Stylus

When it comes to handling risk in the world of decentralized finance (DeFi), building an on-chain perpetual (perp) risk engine is a total game changer. Thanks to Arbitrum Stylus, we’ve got a solid solution that really boosts your trading experience while also keeping you safe from those surprise market swings.

What’s the Deal with On-Chain Perps?

On-chain perpetual contracts give traders the chance to bet on how the prices of different assets will move, all without having to actually own those assets. They're super popular in the crypto scene, but remember, with those big rewards also come some pretty hefty risks. That’s where our risk engine steps in! It keeps an eye on trades in real-time, which really helps to cut down on losses.

How Arbitrum Stylus Makes It Happen

Arbitrum Stylus is a cool layer-2 scaling solution that's all about boosting performance and cutting down costs. With this platform, our risk engine is able to handle data more efficiently, which means traders get insights way quicker. Here’s how it works:.

1. Real-Time Data Processing: Our risk engine keeps a close eye on the market as it happens, which means traders can get the scoop on current conditions and make smart decisions on the fly. 2. Risk Assessment: Our engine takes a deep dive into different risk factors, like volatility and liquidity, to give traders a clear picture of their exposure. We’re all about helping you stay informed and make smarter decisions! 3. Automated Alerts: Traders receive notifications whenever their positions go beyond set risk limits. This gives them a helpful nudge to keep their trades in check and manage things more effectively.

Key Features of Our Risk Engine

• Advanced Algorithms: We've got some really smart algorithms in play that help us gauge market risks. This means you're getting info that's not only timely but also spot-on!
• User-Friendly Interface: Getting around the risk engine is super easy, so whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been trading for a while, you’ll feel right at home.
• Customizable Settings: Traders have the flexibility to adjust risk parameters so they can match their unique strategies. This way, they get a more personalized trading experience that really suits their style.

Get Started Today!

Are you excited to explore on-chain perpetual contracts with some cool risk management features? If so, head over to our GitHub repository where you’ll find all the code and documentation you need. Happy coding! Don’t let the opportunity to up your trading game pass you by! You can improve your skills and still manage your risks effectively.

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When you've got the right tools at your disposal, trading becomes way more than just relying on luck. Keep yourself in the know, stay safe out there, and happy trading!

• Tech Stack: We’re rolling with Arbitrum One and using Stylus for our Rust risk kernels. Plus, we’ve got a Solidity shell in play for our automated market maker (AMM) and collateral. So, here's the deal: Stylus runs WASM alongside the EVM, and that’s pretty game-changing. It really amps up our compute and memory efficiency--like, we’re talking 10 to 70 times better! Because of that, we can actually pull off full portfolio margin and Greek recalculations directly on-chain without breaking a sweat. How cool is that? On top of that, BoLD really boosts the dispute process and makes it super easy to validate without needing permission. If you want to dive deeper, feel free to check out the docs. There's plenty of info waiting for you there!
• Specs we're implementing:
  • Rust pricing libraries
  • Storage-light state We’re going for a hybrid approach, starting with blob data and then having a fallback option for calldata.
• Operational note: Hey there! With BoLD, we've made some changes to the timing of the withdrawal challenge. This means that user experience will need to adjust to these longer windows--up to around 12. Just a heads up! In a worst-case situation, it might take around 8 days. We're about to launch communication features and timers on the front end. Exciting stuff ahead! If you want to dive deeper into this, feel free to take a look at the docs. They’ve got all the details you might need!

DA Strategy for a Yield Router: Blobs vs External DA

So, when you're getting into the nitty-gritty of crafting a decentralized application (or dApp) like a yield router, one of the big things you’ve got to think about is how you're going to handle data access (DA). Alright, let's dive into a comparison of two key strategies: using blobs versus tapping into external data analytics.

Blobs

So, blobs are basically big pieces of binary data that you can store right on the blockchain. Let's take a look at some of the upsides and downsides of this approach:

Pros:

• Simplicity: Keeping blobs on-chain is pretty easy because you can access them right from the blockchain.
• Immutability: Once data gets added to the blockchain, it's there for good and can't be changed or messed with. This creates an additional layer of security that really helps keep everything safe.
• Transparency: Everyone has access to the same info, so all participants are looking at the same data.

Cons:

• Cost: Keeping big blobs stored on-chain can really rack up some costs. Gas fees can really pile up fast, especially when you're dealing with a lot of transactions.
• Scalability Challenges: As your application expands, all that data piling up on-chain might start to cause some hiccups. It could slow things down or make it a bit tricky to keep everything under control.
• Limited Flexibility: If you want to update any data, you'll have to go through the whole transaction process again, which can be a bit of a hassle to deal with.

External DA

On the other hand, external DA is all about using off-chain solutions to store data. Just a little something to remember:

Pros:

• Budget-Friendly: Keeping your data off-chain can really help you save on those pesky gas fees, making it a lot easier on your budget.
• Scalability: With external data sources, you can manage bigger amounts of data with ease. This means as your yield router expands, it’s a lot simpler to scale up.
• Flexibility: It’s usually much easier to update data because you don’t have to worry about on-chain transactions.

Cons:

• Dependence on Third Parties: When you lean on outside data sources, you're putting your trust in someone else's hands. This can lead to some risks, especially if those sources ever start to falter or become unreliable.
• Watch Out for Inconsistencies: When you've got data hanging out off-chain, it's super important to make sure your dApp shows the latest info. But, honestly, keeping everything in sync can be a bit of a challenge sometimes.
• Less Transparency: The thing is, not everyone can access the same information. This can create some differences in what people end up seeing and experiencing.

Conclusion

Deciding whether to go with blobs or an external DA for your yield router is a pretty big deal. It's a choice that can really influence how well your application runs and how sustainable it ends up being. Blobs really simplify things and keep your data secure, while using external data access can help you save money and scale up easily. Take a moment to really think about these options in light of what your project needs and what you’re aiming to achieve.

If you want to dive deeper into this topic, take a look at this resource. It's got some great info! Happy coding!.

• Option 1 (after Fusaka): Kick things off with a blob-first strategy and go for predictive batch sizing. Try to stick to batches that are smaller than 128 KiB, and don't forget to watch out for the blob base fee floor. That way, you won't run the risk of posting too much when the execution base fee spikes. (blog.ethereum.org).
• Option 2: If you're looking for reliable L1 settlement costs or speedy pre-confirmations, you might want to check out external data availability options like EigenDA or Avail. I’ve heard that Avail has been hitting about 250ms for pre-confirmations lately, which is pretty impressive! Plus, they provide encrypted data availability, so that's a nice bonus. Let’s dive into the key differences in security and compliance that are really important for market makers and custodians. (blog.availproject.org).

Emerging Best Practices We Use by Default

To keep ourselves sharp, we have a few go-to strategies that we implement automatically. These choices aren’t just pulled out of thin air--we’ve actually seen how well they work, and they really keep things running smoothly for us. Alright, let me give you a quick overview of what we’ve got in our toolkit:

1. Agile Methodology

We’ve jumped on the Agile bandwagon to make sure our projects stay flexible and can quickly adapt. Basically, we take big tasks and chop them down into smaller, more manageable pieces, and then tackle them in short bursts or “sprints.” It's really about being flexible and adapting as things change.

2. Continuous Feedback Loop

We're all about the power of feedback--it's something we truly value, every single day. We always make it a priority to collect feedback, whether it's from our teammates or our clients. It’s just part of how we keep improving things around here! This really helps us get better and stay on track with what we’re trying to achieve.

3. Emphasis on Documentation

Honestly, we can’t emphasize this enough: having good documentation is super important! Taking thorough notes and keeping track of everything really helps make sure we’re all in sync. It definitely saves us from a lot of hassle later on!

4. Collaborative Tools

We use tools like Slack, Trello, and Google Docs to make working together a lot easier. They really help us connect and keep things all sorted out. And honestly, who doesn’t enjoy a solid board for keeping tabs on their progress?

5. Regular Training and Development

Investing in our team's growth just makes sense. We really believe in the power of learning, so we offer a bunch of great opportunities like workshops, webinars, and online courses to keep you growing. A great team is a happy team!

6. Prioritizing Well-Being

And of course, we can't forget about well-being--it's super important to us! Finding a good balance between work and life makes employees happier and boosts their productivity. We really encourage taking breaks and some downtime so that everyone can feel their best.

If we follow these new best practices, we’ll really set ourselves up for success! It's all about setting up a vibe where everyone can feel good and get things done. That’s how we really thrive!

• Think about the economics of the blob era.
• Think of bytes as your go-to unit for optimization. Get cozy with the idea of compressing, packing, and scheduling your batches. It makes a world of difference! Just a quick reminder: when it comes to EVM opcodes, focus on micro-optimizations after you tackle data availability (DA). That's really the main factor affecting those typical Layer 2 costs since the EIP-4844 update. So, keep that in mind! (coingecko.com). Hey, just a quick reminder to sync your batch timings with the blob capacity increases (you know, the 14/21 stuff), and don’t forget to monitor the blob floor dynamics after Fusaka. It’ll help you steer clear of those annoying “free-riding” assumptions! (blog.ethereum.org).
• Been tuned into MEV from the get-go. From the get-go, let’s roll out an MEV tax on the OP Stack that aligns with our competitive priority order. By doing this, AMMs and perpetuals can really tap into that searcher value. This will not only enhance the net returns for liquidity providers but also help reduce emissions. Pretty cool, right? (paradigm.xyz).
• Think of cross-chain as a must-have feature, not just an add-on.
• We're excited to introduce ERC-7683 intents and UniswapX-style settlements! This means no more hassle with bridges--users can now enjoy smooth interactions across different chains. Your DEX or vault will give the vibe of operating seamlessly as if it’s all in one place. (blog.uniswap.org).
• Decentralizing the sequencer and talking about risks. If you’re working on a chain that’s got some extra support, like Stage-1 OP or the latest BoLD upgrades, it’s super important to clearly spell out how withdrawal and dispute timings work, as well as what to do in case of emergencies. Make sure to include all this info in your user docs and make it easy to find on the front end. It’ll really help keep everyone on the same page! Check out Linea’s decision to pause in 2024--it's a clear sign that users really care about this stuff. (docs.optimism.io).
• ZK that’s powered by hardware where it counts. If you're dealing with really proof-heavy stuff, like cross-domain proofs or privacy issues, it’s a good idea to break it down into smaller pieces. Modularizing your proof process can make things a lot easier to manage! This means you can easily switch to SP1/RISC Zero or even connect to other external prover networks later on, all without the hassle of rewriting your contracts. Whenever possible, try to keep the gas for on-chain verification of Groth16-style proofs around 300k. (a16zcrypto.com).

Ecosystem Metrics You Can Plug Into a Board Deck

When you're putting together a board deck, it's really crucial to throw in some reliable metrics about your ecosystem. Check out this handy list of metrics that can really help your board members get a solid understanding of how everything's shaping up.

Key Metrics to Highlight

1. User Growth Rate
   Take a look at how fast our user base is growing! It's pretty exciting to see the numbers climbing up. Every day, more and more people are joining us, and it's just a reminder of how our community is thriving. It's a great time to be part of this journey! This number really says a lot about how healthy your ecosystem is!
2. Churn Rate
   Make sure to keep an eye on how many users are dropping off. If you're seeing a high churn rate, that's definitely something to take seriously. It's a sign that something might need fixing.

Net Promoter Score (NPS). This metric gives you a good sense of how loyal your customers are. It's all about how likely people are to recommend your product or service to their friends or family.

1. Engagement Metrics
   Let's take a closer look at how people are engaging with your ecosystem. It’s really interesting to see the different ways users are connecting with what you’ve built! Check out some important stats, like daily active users (DAU) and monthly active users (MAU). They're super helpful for understanding how people are engaging with your app or platform.

Revenue Per User (RPU). To find out how much money, on average, each user brings in, just take the total revenue and divide it by the number of users. It's a simple calculation but gives you a clear picture of your revenue per user. This really gives you a clearer picture of how the money-making side of your ecosystem works.

1. Market Penetration Rate
   Take a moment to understand how your product is stacking up against the total addressable market. It’s a great way to see where you stand in the big picture! It really gives you a sense of where you fit in within your niche.

Visuals to Consider

• Graphs and Charts
  Using visuals to showcase your metrics can totally make it easier to spot trends as they evolve over time. Picture this: for user growth, think of those line graphs that show trends over time, and for market share, get ready to visualize some pie charts that break it all down.
• Dashboards
  When you've got a dashboard ready to go, taking snapshots can really help you quickly check in on how healthy your ecosystem is. It's like getting a quick overview without diving deep into all the details!

Conclusion

Adding these ecosystem metrics to your board deck isn't just about sharing where you are right now; it's also a great way to lay the groundwork for where you want to head in the future. Just a quick reminder: keeping things clear is super important! So, make sure your visuals and explanations are easy to understand and really pack a punch!

If you’re looking for some in-depth info, take a look at these resources!

• User Growth Strategies
• Improving NPS
• Engagement Best Practices

With these metrics and visuals, you'll be set to put together an awesome board deck that really gets everyone on the same page and involved.

• Fees and throughput Since the Dencun update, the cost for rollup L1 data has plummeted--falling by about 10 times or even more! If you're checking out the popular layer 2s, you'll find that fees are currently hanging out in the sub-cent to low-cent range. Pretty affordable, right? Hey there! So, thanks to the PeerDAS and those blob parameter ramps after Fusaka, things are looking a bit better for us. We’ve got a little more wiggle room now, and it seems like blob pricing is starting to find its footing (EIP‑7918). So, here’s the scoop: we’re noticing that the costs for DA units are going down and becoming easier to predict. (investopedia.com).
• The way decentralization works and how it affects security. Hey there! So, guess what? The OP Stack has officially rolled out permissionless fault proofs on the OP Mainnet (Stage 1). Pretty exciting stuff! And it’s cool to see that chains like Base are also leveling up with their upgrades. It’s a fun time for everyone in the community! Arbitrum is getting in on the action too! They’ve just launched BoLD for permissionless validation on the mainnet. Plus, Stylus is all set and running smoothly on One/Nova. Exciting stuff happening over there! These changes really shake up the trust models in a good way, and you can definitely chat about them confidently with your peers. (optimism.io).
• You really can’t overlook those areas where demand is stacking up. By the end of 2024, the Superchain was absolutely crushing it, managing around 9 to 12 million transactions every single day! At its peak, Base saw over a million daily active addresses, making quite an impact. Throughout 2025, it's really been at the forefront of L2 profitability, leading the way in a big way! DEX trading has really taken off, doubling in growth each year! By May 2025, Base managed to grab a big slice of the market, which is pretty impressive. Hey, just a heads up--when you’re ready to launch, make sure you’re doing it where your users actually hang out! Check this out for some insights: superchain.eco.
• Interop standardization Hey everyone! Just wanted to share some exciting news--the ERC-7683 cross-chain intents that Uniswap Labs and Across have been working on are now live and really gaining traction! If you tweak your projects to meet this standard, you’ll not only boost your filler network but also reduce fragmentation. It’s a smart move that can really pay off! (blog.uniswap.org).

How We Get Involved (and Where We Fit In)

When it comes to connecting with our community and making a real impact, we have a few key areas where we really dive in. Let’s take a peek at how we engage with everyone and what really matters to us!

Community Programs

We really enjoy rolling up our sleeves and getting involved in community projects. It feels great to be a part of something bigger! We're all about giving back and making a difference in our communities! Whether it's rolling up our sleeves for local clean-up days, helping out students with tutoring, or putting on fun workshops, we're here to spread some positivity and lend a hand.

• Local Clean-Ups: We love getting our hands dirty for a good cause! That’s why we host clean-up events in parks and neighborhoods pretty regularly.
• Tutoring Sessions: Our awesome team offers tutoring to students who could use a little extra help, aiming to boost their grades and confidence in their studies.
• Workshops: We run a bunch of workshops that dive into various subjects, like career growth and managing your finances.

Partnerships

We really think that teamwork makes all the difference! That's why we’re always on the lookout for ways to team up with local organizations, schools, and businesses. When we join forces, we can really boost our impact and connect with so many more people!

• Schools: We team up with schools to develop programs that help both students and staff thrive.
• Nonprofits: Teaming up with local nonprofits allows us to tap into valuable resources and spread our mission to a bigger crowd.
• Businesses: Teaming up with local businesses can open up some really cool opportunities and bring in valuable resources that you might not have otherwise.

Events and Meet-Ups

Bringing everyone together is super important for creating a tight-knit community. We host events and meet-ups where folks can get together, swap ideas, and learn from one another. It’s a great way to connect and grow!

• Networking Events: These are perfect for meeting new people and uncovering fresh opportunities.
• Community Fairs: We put together these awesome fairs that highlight all the amazing local talent, businesses, and resources right in our neighborhood.
• Skill Shares: We’d love for everyone to show off their talents! Got a knack for cooking, coding, or crafting? Let’s share those skills with each other!

Feedback and Improvement

We're always on the lookout for ways to improve and really connect with our community. We really appreciate your feedback! It's super helpful to us!

• Surveys: Every now and then, we’ll shoot out a survey to get your thoughts and figure out ways we can do better. Your feedback really helps us out!
• Suggestion Box: We’ve got a spot for you to share your thoughts and ideas, whether you’re online or just hanging out at one of our events. We’d love to hear what’s on your mind!

Stay Connected

To keep everything running smoothly, we always stay in touch with everyone involved. Stay connected with us on social media and through our newsletter so you never miss a beat!

• Social Media: Hey, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to stay in the loop with all our latest updates!
• Newsletter: Want to stay in the loop? Sign up for our newsletter and get all the latest updates delivered straight to your inbox!

And there you have it--a quick peek at how we connect and find our place in all of this! We're super excited to keep making a difference together!

• Strategy and Architecture: Alright, let’s start by nailing down the tech stack and the data analytics approach that really fits your goals and KPIs.
  Once we get that sorted, we'll dive into creating a financial model to address the blob/DA exposure after Fusaka wraps up.
• Protocol Engineering: We're all about getting those features we talked about up and running! We’ll be using our trusty libraries for this, and when it comes to any heavy lifting, we’ll pass those tasks over to Stylus where it makes the most sense.
• Security and Audits: We kick things off with a pre-audit hardening phase, which is basically our way of double-checking everything on our end. Plus, we’ll team up with external auditors to make sure all the boxes are checked and everything's running smoothly. On top of that, we’ll create some handy monitoring tools and incident runbooks to help avoid any annoying “pause” headaches.
• GTM: We're excited to roll out some cool incentives and market-making strategies that take cross-chain opportunities into account. This way, you can dive into the Base/Arbitrum flow right from Day 1!

Relevant Services to Speed Up Your Roadmap

If you really want to take your roadmap to the next level and start making some real strides, check out these services that could help you out:

1. Project Management Tools

If you want to stay on top of things, tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira can really help you keep everything sorted out. Trust me, you’ll love how organized they can make your life! You can easily set deadlines, keep an eye on your progress, and work together with your team without a hitch.

2. Cloud Storage and Collaboration

If you’re looking for a way to store your files and share documents, services like Google Drive and Dropbox are awesome options. This way, your whole team can grab what they need whenever and wherever they are. It's super convenient!

3. Communication Platforms

Make sure to keep in touch with your team using tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams. They’re great for chatting, sharing files, and staying in the loop! These tools make it super easy to have quick chats and ensure that everyone stays updated.

4. Analytics and Reporting

Using tools like Google Analytics or Tableau can really help you dig into how your project is doing. They offer some great insights that can guide your next steps! Using data to make decisions can really help clarify your path forward.

5. Customer Feedback Services

Hey, make sure you keep your users in mind! It’s super helpful to use tools like SurveyMonkey or Typeform to collect their feedback. Trust me, it can make a big difference! It's a fantastic way to make sure you’re headed in the right direction!

6. Development Services

If you're looking for some support with coding or development, check out platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. They’re great places to connect with freelancers who can really speed things up for your project.

7. Marketing Automation

Using tools like HubSpot and Mailchimp can really help simplify your marketing game. They’re pretty great at making things more efficient! Automating your campaigns can really free up your time and help you hit your goals quicker.

With these services at your disposal, you’ll be all set to level up your roadmap and really amp up your team’s productivity!

• Complete DeFi solutions: Take a look at our DeFi development services and DEX development services. We specialize in getting MEV-aware, cross-chain-native protocols up and running fast!
• Protocol Core and Tokens: We provide high-quality smart contract development and token development services that prioritize efficiency in both gas usage and byte size.
• L2 Integrations, Bridges, and Intents: Check out our awesome work on cross-chain solutions, blockchain bridge development, and blockchain integration. We’re all about making connections easier and more seamless!
• Dapp and Asset Layer: We're excited to help you out with your dapp development, asset tokenization, and asset management platform development projects. Whatever you're looking to build, we've got you covered!
• Security and launch: Keep your project safe and sound with our security audit services. Plus, if you need a hand with fundraising, we’ve got your back with some great advice!
• Tailor-Made Builds and L2 Options: Check out our awesome web3 development services, blockchain development services, cross-chain solutions development, and TON blockchain development whenever you're looking for something specific! We've got you covered!

Short Implementation Checklist

Kickstart your team’s momentum with this super handy checklist!

1. Define Your Goals

So, what’s your goal? What are you hoping to accomplish? Hey there! So, have you thought about whether your goals are SMART? That means they should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. It's a great way to make sure you’re setting yourself up for success!

2. Gather Requirements

• So, what do you need to kick things off?
• It's important to loop in all the key players.

3. Create a Project Plan

Sure! Here’s a quick breakdown of the steps I'll follow:

1. First things first, I'll gather all the necessary information and resources.
2. Next, I'll create a plan to organize everything, mapping out how I want to approach things.
3. Once that’s in place, I’ll dive into the actual work, tackling each part of the project bit by bit.
4. As I go along, I'll keep an eye out for any adjustments we might need to make based on how things are unfolding.
5. Finally, I’ll wrap up by reviewing everything to make sure it all looks good before we call it complete.

Sound good? Let’s get things rolling! Make sure to establish deadlines for every stage of the project.

4. Assign Roles and Responsibilities

• Who’s doing what?
• Let’s be sure everyone understands their role, so we’re all on the same page.

5. Set Up Communication Channels

How's your team planning to keep in touch? Think about using tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or even good ol' email.

6. Initiate the Project

Let’s start off with a team meeting to get everyone on the same page!

• Let’s make sure everyone is on the same wavelength.

7. Monitor Progress

• Stay on top of your tasks and deadlines.
• Try using tools like Trello or Asana to keep everything organized. They're super helpful for keeping track of your tasks!

8. Gather Feedback

Make it a habit to touch base with both the team and the stakeholders.

• Do we need to make any changes?

9. Final Review

• Take a moment to review everything before we go live! Make sure to go over everything and see if you’ve hit all your goals.

10. Launch!

• It's time to launch your project! Take a moment to appreciate all the effort you've put in and the milestones you've reached! You totally deserve it!

Don't hesitate to check back in on this checklist whenever you need to make sure you're headed in the right direction!

• Product Targets: We’re shooting for a p95 confirmation time of under 2 seconds, making sure our solver fill rates stay above 95%, and keeping slippage as low as possible compared to the RFQ baseline.
• L2 Choice: For the first wave, go ahead and pick two chains: Base, and then choose either Arbitrum or Optimism. We’ll definitely want to come up with a good strategy for liquidity mirroring and keep an eye on our fee budgets to make sure they fit with the changing blob floors. (blog.ethereum.org).
• Protocol: Hey there! We're gearing up to launch the ERC-7683 intents interfaces and jump on board with that UniswapX-style order flow. Exciting times ahead! (blog.uniswap.org). How about we think about implementing an MEV tax for OP-stack chains? It could be interesting to look into options like backrun auctions or maybe even taxes linked to priority fees for automated market makers (AMMs). (paradigm.xyz). When it comes to perpetual contracts, let's move the heavy lifting over to Stylus. That way, we can keep the Solidity part nice and light. (docs.arbitrum.io).
• DA & Fees: Hey there! So, we need to size our batches so they can handle those 128 KiB blobs. Let’s also keep an eye on things during those busy moments to avoid any hiccups. Oh, and don’t forget to run some simulations when we ramp up the BPO--aiming for around 14 to 21 blobs should do the trick! (blog.ethereum.org).
• If we're going with an external DA, let's make sure we jot down all the security updates for our partners and LPs. This includes stuff like the size of the EigenDA operator set and those Avail pre-confirmations. (mantle.xyz).
• Ops & Security: Alright, here's the plan: Let's put together a clear roadmap for withdrawal and dispute timelines, similar to what we've done with OP Stage-1 and BoLD. This should really help enhance the user experience. Plus, it’s smart to prep some communication for incidents, just in case we hit any sequencer pauses. Better safe than sorry, right? (docs.optimism.io).

So, if you're diving into the DeFi scene in 2026, your key to standing out is all about taking those protocol-level upgrades--like fault proofs, Stylus, intents, and PeerDAS--and turning them into actual perks for users. It’s all about making that complex stuff work for real people. We're diving into ways to cut down the total cost per action, get those fills moving faster, and increase revenue capture for LPs. That’s our game plan.

Hey there! How about we set up a call to chat about your DeFi L2 pilot strategy? I’d love to hear your thoughts and dive into the details together!

References (selected)

EIP-4844, also known as Dencun, is really making waves! It’s bringing some exciting changes to how blob mechanics work, along with a neat multi-dimensional fee market that’s set to save some costs. Pretty cool stuff, right? If you want to dive deeper into this topic, you can check it out here.

Hey, make sure to check out the newest updates on OP Stack fault proofs and Stage-1! They've rolled out some great documentation and blog posts that you definitely won't want to miss. If you want to get into the nitty-gritty, check it out here. You'll find all the details you need!

Hey everyone! Exciting news--Arbitrum has just launched BoLD and Stylus on the mainnet! This update is all about simplifying permissionless validation, making it way easier for everyone involved. Find out more here.

Make sure to keep an eye on the Superchain and Base metrics as we head into late 2024 and roll into 2025. Things are really heating up right now! If you want to get the inside scoop, check it out here. You won't want to miss it!

Hey, have you noticed how DEX trading is making the move to Layer 2s? It's pretty interesting! Dune has put together some cool analysis on how the trade volume is changing, and it's definitely worth checking out. Check it out here.

Uniswap Labs and Across are joining forces to introduce an exciting new standard for cross-chain intents, known as ERC-7683. This could really shake things up! If you want to dive deeper into it, check out the full scoop here.

Lately, we've seen some pretty intense incidents, like the Velocore hack and the whole ZKsync admin key drama. If you want to dive into the details about what happened with Velocore, you can check out their postmortem right here. It breaks down the whole $7 million hack situation and even mentions a bounty they’re offering to the hacker. It's definitely worth a read!

Hey everyone! Exciting news from the Ethereum Foundation--they’ve just rolled out the announcement for Fusaka. This update includes some key features like PeerDAS, blob parameter ramps, and the blob base-fee floor. Can't wait to see how this all plays out! Take a look at the announcement right here! Check it out.

• Lastly, don’t forget to check out some interesting external data availability options, like EigenDA and Avail. It’s worth keeping an eye on their adoption rates too! If you're looking for more details, you can check it out here.

Just a heads up: When we're figuring out real-world engineering choices, like how to size batches under blob ramps, we always make sure to check out the relevant protocol posts and announcements for guidance. During the discovery phase, we personalize these parameters for each client. We take a close look at their real order size distributions and see how the solver performs.