Fractal: Ethereum’s censorship-proof L2 with zk-proofs, instant withdrawals, and infinite scalability through hybrid sequencing + volition DA.
Fractal is a research proposal for a next-generation Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) scaling solution. Unlike sidechains, optimistic rollups, or existing zero-knowledge rollups, Fractal integrates four key innovations: validity proofs, hybrid sequencing, configurable data availability, and proactive state management. The result is a censorship-resistant, instant-finality rollup that aligns with Ethereum’s long-term roadmap (ePBS, PeerDAS, statelessness) while addressing the trade-offs of current L2 approaches.
Ethereum Layer 1 provides unmatched security and neutrality, but it cannot scale alone. Current L2s fill the gap but suffer from structural limitations:
- Sidechains (Polygon PoS, Gnosis): Lower cost but weaker security due to independent validator sets.
- Optimistic Rollups (Arbitrum, Optimism): Secure, but require week-long fraud windows and rely on centralized sequencers.
- ZK Rollups (zkSync, Polygon zkEVM, Scroll, StarkNet): Faster withdrawals, but still centralized in sequencing and limited in data availability options.
Fractal proposes a unified architecture that combines the strongest aspects of these approaches, while solving their weaknesses.
- Validity Proofs: Zero-knowledge proofs ensure correctness of state transitions, enabling instant withdrawals without fraud windows.
- Hybrid Sequencing: Ethereum-based sequencing ensures censorship resistance, while shared sequencers provide sub-second confirmations and fair ordering.
- Configurable Data Availability: Ethereum DA via blobs by default, with volition allowing validium-style execution for cost-sensitive applications. EigenDA integration for further scalability.
- State Expiry: Proactive pruning and regenesis reduce state bloat, ensuring long-term sustainability for high-volume applications.
Fractal advances beyond today’s L2s:
- Sidechains: Security inherited directly from Ethereum, not independent validators.
- Optimistic Rollups: Instant withdrawals (no 7-day delay), censorship-resistant sequencing.
- ZK Rollups: Enhanced censorship resistance, modular DA (rollup + validium), and state expiry.
- Payments & Remittances: Sub-second, censorship-resistant transfers with Ethereum-level finality.
- DeFi: High-frequency trading and lending without withdrawal delays.
- Gaming & Social Apps: Millions of low-cost transactions in validium mode, with Ethereum as the settlement layer.
- Institutions: Configurable DA for compliance and enterprise adoption.
papers/– Contains the full research whitepaper (PDF).diagrams/– System architecture, sequencing flow, DA model, and comparison table.README.md– This file, providing project overview and technical summary.
MIT License. Open for public research and adaptation. Attribution is appreciated when referenced in academic or development contexts.
If referencing this research, please cite:
Barnhart, K. (2025). Fractal: A Research Proposal for a Next-Generation Ethereum Layer 2. GitHub repository: https://github.com//fractal-l2