Layer 2 Compression

Architecture

Layer 2 compression, within cryptocurrency and derivatives, fundamentally alters transaction processing by shifting computational burden off the primary blockchain. This approach leverages distinct protocols built atop the base layer, enabling higher throughput and reduced transaction fees, critical for scaling decentralized applications and complex financial instruments. Specifically, techniques like rollups—optimistic and zero-knowledge—batch multiple transactions into a single proof submitted to Layer 1, minimizing on-chain data requirements and enhancing capital efficiency. The resultant architecture impacts market microstructure by lowering barriers to entry for algorithmic trading strategies and facilitating more granular order book dynamics.