Web3’s Need for More Layer 2s: Insights from Polygon co-founder

In episode 48 of the podcast, Brendan Farmer, co-founder of Polygon, joins Elisha Owusu Akyaw to discuss the current state of layer-2 networks. They delve into Polygon’s recent releases, including its aggregation layer (AggLayer) and its newly introduced “Type 1 prover.” The Type 1 prover is a feature that allows any Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) network to function as a layer-2 network with the help of zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs). This new technology, developed in collaboration with Toposware, aims to address the fragmentation among layer 2s.

The Type 1 prover took nearly a year to build and enables the generation of ZK-proofs for mainnet Ethereum blocks at a low cost. This means that any EVM chain can now become a ZK layer-2 and join Polygon’s AggLayer. Farmer emphasizes the importance of improving the user experience by unifying the fragmented layer-2 ecosystem. He believes that if Ethereum wants to succeed, it needs to offer a seamless environment like Solana, where users don’t have to worry about bridging or choosing a specific rollup.

Despite acknowledging the fragmentation issue, Farmer argues that there are not enough layer-2 networks in the Web3 space. He explains that in order to accommodate the highest level of adoption, there needs to be enough capacity in the crypto ecosystem to work at an internet scale. The host, Elisha Owusu Akyaw, asks Farmer how Polygon plans to compete with other layer-2 networks that are building their own ecosystems, such as the OP Stack and the ZK Stack. Farmer responds by stating that Polygon aims to create a network effect around the AggLayer. If the AggLayer becomes the go-to choice for liquidity and users, more developers are likely to build on Polygon.

Farmer emphasizes that Polygon will provide a superior user and developer experience without limitations like revenue sharing. The podcast episode can be listened to in its entirety on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or TuneIn. offers a range of other shows that readers can explore.