We are all aware of the blockchain scalability problem at this point. Blockchains are great, but they're slow when lots of people use them (very simplified). To fix this, smart people came up with many solutions: sidechains, sharding, Layer 2 solutions, etc.

One has become extremely popular: rollups. L3s and Appchains are making big progress, but they can't succeed without good rollups infrastructure. This article is about RaaS and Gelato Network, but before talking about it, let’s first understand what rollups are, why they're important and what their role is in scaling a blockchain.

Understanding Rollups

Rollups are a type of Layer 2 solution that many experts think is the most efficient way to scale blockchains. Rollups make blockchains faster and cheaper to use by processing transactions off the main chain and then summarizing the results back on the main chain.

So basically, they are "rolling up" multiple transactions into one. Imagine you're sending a package to your friend. Instead of sending one item at a time, you bundle several items together. This saves time and money. That's what rollups do for blockchain transactions.

There are two main types of rollups:

1. Optimistic Rollups: These assume transactions are valid by default and only run computations in case of a challenge.

2. Zero-Knowledge (ZK) Rollups: These use complex cryptographic proofs to validate transactions off-chain.

So far everything seems great, easy, and smooth, right ? But there is a catch with rollups.

The Problem

Setting up and maintaining a rollup is very hard. Deploying a rollup is a complex process that requires deep technical knowledge, serious infrastructure in place, lots of resources, and constant attention to keep things running smoothly.

That's a bummer, isn't it? I wish everyone could deploy a rollup. Well.. this is where Gelato Network comes in!

Introducing Gelato

Gelato provides something called Rollup-as-a-Service (RaaS). RaaS is an approach that makes rollup technology more accessible. It's a way to make setting up rollups much easier. You can think of Gelato as like a toolbox that has everything needed to set up and run a rollup.

With Gelato's RaaS, teams can focus on building instead of worrying about the complicated parts of setting up, integrating, running and maintaining rollups. The mission of RaaS in a nutshell is to simplify every aspect of rollup deployment and management.

You’ve probably heard about modular mullet, right ? If you think of blockchain scaling as a modular mullet, Gelato RaaS is like a top notch barber, styling each part to keep the whole hairdo in a perfect shape.

How does RaaS Infra Work

But how does it work? How does Gelato exactly help to deploy and maintain a rollup?

On a high level, what is happening is Gelato's infrastructure interacts with underlying blockchains by acting as a bridge between the rollup and the main chain. It handles the complex tasks like submitting transaction batches and proofs to the main chain and ensures that the rollup remains synchronized and secure.

Deploying a rollup using Gelato's RaaS is a simple process, basic level of technical knowledge is enough because Gelato will handle a lot of things for you.

This is a (very simplified) process:

• First, you are asked to choose a rollup type.

• Second, you configure and set basic parameters like transaction throughput and security level.

• Third, you click the deploy button and Gelato's infra will handle the deployment process.

Gelato provides you with the rollups infra and integrates Gelato's Web3 middleware services like relay, off-chain data access, and Account Abstraction. Developers like it because they can launch a fully functional L2 or L3 chain with all necessary tools and services integrated super fast.

Let’s compare: Gelato vs Conduit vs Caldera

Currently, there are three main Rollup-as-a-Service (RaaS) providers in the market: Gelato, Conduit, and Caldera. What is the difference between them? Let’s have a look.

TL;DR:

Conduit

It focuses on modular architecture, which allows projects to customize different components of their rollup solution. Its key feature is cross-chain interoperability tools for projects that need to work across multiple blockchains. But it is not as user-friendly and doesn't have as extensive a network of integrations and middleware options as some other RaaS solutions.

Key points:

• Supports both Optimistic and ZK rollups.

• Provides a modular architecture allowing for high customization of rollup components.

• Specializes in cross-chain interoperability.

• Offers some (limited) automation capabilities.

• Provides flexible data availability options as part of its modular architecture.

• Allows for customizable sequencer implementations as part of its modular design.

• Offers an SDK focused on cross-chain development.

• Designed for easy integration with various blockchain infrastructures, focusing on interoperability.

Caldera

It has a strong focus on developer tools and requires a high level of technical skills. Right now, Caldera is working on making its rollups work better with other systems through its Metalayer network. However, it provides less extensive middleware services, requires more technical knowledge, and might be harder to use than some other RaaS solutions.

Key points:

• Caldera supports both Optimistic and ZK rollups but primarily focuses on Optimistic rollups.

• Offers extensive customization options, particularly suited for developers who want fine-grained control.

• Working on improving cross-chain functionality through its Metalayer network.

• Focuses more on rollup customization. Less on built-in automation features.

• Provides customizable data availability solutions.

• Offers tools for implementing and customizing sequencers. Requires more technical expertise.

• Provides advanced developer tools, suited for those who need deep technical control.

• Requires more manual integration.

Gelato

Gelato simplifies the deployment process significantly. It offers a variety of automation tools and provides a high level of integration with Gelato's Web3 middleware services, which boosts smart contract automation, secure data access, and access to gasless transactions.

Key points:

• Gelato supports both Optimistic and ZK rollups.

• Offers pre-configured options for quick deployment with customization possibilities.

• Offers cross-chain operations through its Web3 automated functions.

• Provides extensive smart contract automation features.

• Uses various data availability solutions, including on-chain and off-chain options.

• Offers a managed sequencer service.

• Provides a user-friendly SDK and integrates well with its other middleware services.

• Seamlessly integrates with Gelato's existing Web3 middleware services.

To Sum Up:

• If you're working with multiple blockchains and need flexibility, look at Conduit.

• If you need lots of control, have strong technical skills / rollup engineers on your team and enough time to set everything up, Caldera could be a good fit.

• If you want something more user-friendly, with high level of automation services, extensive middleware functionality, and integrations, Gelato is the way to go. It is also the best options for projects that want to use rollups but don't have blockchain experts.

Future of rollups and RaaS

Let’s see what the current trends and focus areas of RaaS and rollups are right now.

• It's clear that Layer 2 and Layer 3 solutions powered by rollups are growing extremely fast. There is an emerging trend towards purpose-specific rollups being used as app-specific "verifiable servers" vs general-purpose platforms. Gelato’s role here is to make it easy to create and manage custom purpose-specific rollups.

• Chain Abstraction is another thing the industry is working on currently. Users shouldn’t need to worry about which chain they're interacting with, or about paying gas fees in different tokens. Gelato offers solutions for gas abstraction and full integration across multiple rollups.

• Another thing - emergence of rollup clusters or "superchains". Superchains allow different rollups to communicate and share resources easily, creating a more connected ecosystem. Gelato has been actively involved in the Optimism (OP) Superchain ecosystem, which connects multiple OP Stack-based chains.

Wrapping it Up

The rollup ecosystem has increased incredibly over the last year. As the demand for scalable blockchain solutions continues to grow, the importance of platforms like Gelato will grow too.

Gelato’s RaaS is an important step forward in helping more projects use advanced features like rollups. This could lead to more innovation and wider adoption of blockchain. So if you're trying to launch an L2, Appchain, or an L3 solution and want to make it faster and cheaper, Gelato's RaaS could be a great option to look into.