Can Union challenge LayerZero's dominance?

Author: Haotian

Recently, I have paid attention to a cross-chain interoperability project @union_build, a Layer-1 project with ZK interoperability as its core, which aims to subvert the current cross-chain market structure dominated by @LayerZero_Core. The question is, what is the difference between it and other cross-chain interoperability projects, and what are the highlights? Will it bring new opportunities to the ZK infra track? Let me talk about some of my observations:

1) It is undeniable that the market demand for cross-chain interoperability is growing rapidly, but the existing solutions have their own shortcomings. LayerZero mainly covers the EVM ecosystem and once led the cross-chain popularization trend based on the light node verification path. Wormhole relies on the multi-signature security committee to ensure cross-chain security, and Axelar relies on the validator network to process cross-chain messages.

In contrast, Union does not rely on oracles, multi-signatures or MPCs, but directly chooses to use ZK technology to verify inter-chain consensus, providing efficient and scalable interoperability capabilities without sacrificing security.

This hierarchical structure based on ZK technology has a clearer interoperability protocol path, which enables Union to deeply connect different ecosystems, not just EVM-compatible chains, and supports a variety of development environments including Solidity, Move, Cosmos, Solang and BitVM. This is obviously much wider than LayerZero, which focuses on the EVM ecosystem.

2) When many people mention ZK technology, the first thing they think of is Layer2 expansion and privacy protection (state proof submitted by the second layer to the first layer). This obviously does not give full play to the maximum potential of ZK technology, but Union's innovation lies in applying ZK technology to the field of cross-chain interoperability, expanding the application boundaries of ZK technology.

With the support of ZK technology, it can directly verify the consensus status between different chains without relying on a trusted third party, which is safer and more efficient than traditional cross-chain bridges. Through ZK proof, Union can achieve cross-chain interaction at the sub-second level, bringing an almost instant transaction confirmation experience, which is a subversive user experience upgrade in the cross-chain scenario.

It is worth mentioning that test network data shows that Union has processed more than 58 million cross-chain transactions, has 250,000 Dashboard users, and has recently launched App v2 and opened a new test network.

3) Union has also made a big move in the BTCFi field. According to public information, Union has obtained nine-digit TVL commitments from top LST protocols such as Bedrock, Lombard, and Solv. These LSTs will be bridged from Ethereum to Babylon through Union, making it an important asset bridge in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

Union has also launched the BTCFi Flywheel plan, working with Escher (LST), Tower (DEX), and SatLayer (Restaking) to create an income ecosystem, with the goal of making BTC truly "interest-bearing". This strategic positioning not only responds to the current market hotspots, but also establishes a unique competitive advantage for Union in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

In fact, Bitcoin, a chain that naturally lacks programmability, can directly demonstrate the cross-chain application capabilities of ZK technology by connecting with other chains through ZK. Previously, many projects have tried to use the zkVM paradigm as an expansion solution for the Bitcoin ecosystem.

4) It should be added that its financing has also been recognized by many top institutions, and it has completed $16 million in financing. Investors include gumi Cryptos Capital, LongHash Ventures, Foresight Ventures, Borderless Capital, etc.

From the perspective of ecological expansion, Union is also moving very fast. Data shows that it has established 40+ strategic partnerships and attracted 50+ cooperation projects, including Berachain, Polygon, Celestia, Babylon, Scroll, Sui, Avalanche and other leading projects. This is a very good result in the current market environment.

Above.

If LayerZero is the representative of the cross-chain interoperability 1.0 era, then Union is expected to become a pioneer of cross-chain interoperability 2.0 based on ZK technology. It is trying to build a "chain highway" to connect various homogeneous/heterogeneous main chains, L2, Rollups and Appchain, etc., and is committed to becoming an infrastructure channel for inter-chain interoperability.

However, it is not easy to really shake up projects like LayerZero that already have a certain market share and ecological depth. Although Union's technical path is advanced, the complexity and maturity of ZK technology itself is also a test. Whether it will ultimately succeed depends on its actual performance after the mainnet is launched and the speed of sustained ecological development.