Linea, a Layer 2 ZK Rollup backed by the development firm Consensys, introduced a proposal last week detailing the steps needed for decentralization as part of its protocol design.
The proposal, “Towards Linea's Decentralization,” from Florian Huc, software architect at Linea, includes a high-level framework for transitioning the zkEVM to a permissionless system and establishing decentralized governance by modifying its existing block validation, block proposal, and finalization processes.
The aim is to allow the blocks to achieve finality at the Layer 2 and Layer 1 levels. In this setup, Linea's sequencers would confirm the finality of Layer 2, while Layer 1 finality will be secured when data and proofs from L2 blocks are posted on Ethereum, the proposal detailed.
Linea contributors have also proposed replacing the network's current Layer 2 finality system with a proof-of-stake model for block validation. This would require validators to stake tokens and participate in the QBFT consensus algorithm. The proposal stated that validators who misbehave will be slashed, including burning a portion of their stake. Notably, Linea is yet to go through a token generation event.
The proposal added that an on-chain auction system may also be introduced to select block proposers, allowing any node to bid for the role. Here, the highest bidder would win the right to propose a block, and the bid amount will be burned to reduce the total token supply.
A recovery mode ensures the system continues functioning even if the validator set becomes inactive for six months. In such a case, any node can start finalizing blocks.
The proposal follows the project's earlier announcement that it planned to decentralize the network after a deliberate block-production pause amid a security exploit on Velocore, a decentralized exchange on its network.