Summary

This document reviews a short history and description of Scroll as a foundation for further research into approaches to better support Scroll builders and expand the builder base. It briefly discusses the technology behind Scroll, then moves on to talk about builder support more generally, before concluding with specific comments on builder support in Scroll and other ecosystems.

What is Scroll?

Scroll is an Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) network that utilizes zero-knowledge rollups (zk-Rollups) to enhance scalability while maintaining full compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).

It was launched in October 2023 after years of development focused on preserving decentralization, developer experience, and security.

• Mainnet Launch: October 2023 (Founder Letter)

Key Highlights:

• zkEVM Compatibility: Enables seamless deployment of Ethereum dApps without modifications.
• Security & Decentralization: Leverages Ethereum’s security model for censorship resistance.
• Cost Efficiency: Significantly reduces transaction fees by bundling transactions off-chain before verifying them on Ethereum.
• Developer-Focused Approach: Scroll provides a comprehensive suite of developer tooling and educational resources to facilitate onboarding and dApp deployment. It offers SDKs, APIs, and full EVM compatibility, ensuring seamless integration for Ethereum developers. Educational materials include detailed documentation, tutorials, and code samples, complemented by community support via Discord and forums. Additionally, Scroll hosts workshops, webinars, and grant programs to incentivize development and foster a robust ecosystem around its zkEVM technology.

Scroll Adoption Metrics:

• Total Value Locked (TVL): ~$45M as of April 2025 (Scroll TVL - L2Beat)
• Scroll Ecosystem Metrics: Active addresses, transaction data, and fee metrics are available on Dune Analytics (Scroll Key Metrics Dashboard)

Scroll’s Position in the Market

• Compared to zkSync and Starknet: Scroll aims for a more developer-friendly, fully decentralized zkEVM implementation. While zkSync prioritizes fast finality and Starknet uses a different proof system (STARKs). Unlike other Layer 2 solutions introducing proprietary modifications or alternative virtual machines, Scroll ensures that Ethereum-native developers can deploy their smart contracts without changes, preserving Ethereum’s developer experience and tooling.
• Adoption Trends: Early traction is driven by Ethereum-native projects looking for scalability without compromising decentralization.

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