- ZetaChain introduces Gateway and Localnet for better DevX.
- Gateway enables seamless multi-step operations across blockchains.
- Localnet offers rapid smart contract deployment with instant feedback.
Blockchain interoperability is one of the key issues with the technology currently. Without various blockchain networks being able to integrate and work together, blockchain applications are limited to only their native chains. This significantly reduces the potential for innovation in the space.
One project realizing the potential for cross-chain applications is ZetaChain, a network working on bringing various chains together. Their latest upgrade greatly enhances the interoperability between various blockchains and hopes to make “Universal Apps” a reality.
Building Apps Across Chains Becomes Easier
So far, applications that could work on any blockchain have been fiction. However, on Thursday, July 18, ZetaChain announced major upgrades focused on boosting its “universal apps.” These are smart contracts that can interact with any blockchain. The upgrades, Gateway and Localnet, focus on making cross-chain apps a reality.
The new Gateway upgrade provides a single interface (API) for developers to interact with different blockchains. Instead of managing each blockchain connection individually, Gateway drives them all through a central hub, making them much easier for developers to manage.
Developers will also benefit from Localnet, a new development environment that speeds up app creation and testing and enables developers to build cross-chain apps more quickly. The environment mimics the experience of operating on a single chain, even though the apps are meant to function across multiple blockchains. Both these improvements boost the functionality of Universal Apps on ZetaChain.
The Potential of Universal Apps
Universal Apps on ZetaChain enable users to send and receive tokens, messages, and contract calls across different blockchains. In essence, they allow for complex multi-step transactions to be executed in a single step.
Universal apps’ main selling point is better user experience. They enable users to interact with several chains in just one step, greatly reducing the complexity of cross-chain interactions.
For instance, a Bitcoin user can use a Universal App to send USDC to someone on the Ethereum blockchain, without having to interact with both chains. Similarly, an Ethereum user can buy an NFT on ZetaChain and send it to their account on the Binance Smart Chain in a single step.
The approach has many challenges, including scalability, centralization, security issues, etc. However, if ZetaChain can prove it can resolve these issues, it could advance blockchain interoperability.
On the Flipside
- While the Gateway upgrade is good for scalability, it also centralizes communication, which could become a bottleneck as the network grows.
- Integrating with various blockchains, each with its protocols and standards is complex and time-consuming. Moreover, network forks can break the integration.
Why This Matters
By simplifying complex cross-chain operations and providing a unified development environment, ZetaChain is paving the way for more accessible and efficient blockchain applications.
Read more about blockchain interoperability:
What Are Blockchain Cross-Chain Protocols?
Read more about Solana ecosystem expansion:
Solana Sees Mayor Ecosystem Growth As Stripe, and PayPal Integrations Lead the Way: Report
