Polymer aims to connect Ethereum Layer 2 networks through the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol. It utilizes technologies including the Cosmos SDK, OP stack, and Eigenlayer to facilitate interoperability.^[1][2]

Overview

Founded in 2021 by Bo Du and Peter Kim, Polymer aims to enhance interoperability within Ethereum by connecting Layer 2 networks using the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol. Operating as an Ethereum rollup, it integrates the Cosmos SDK’s IBC capabilities, OP stack’s settlement features, and Eigenlayer’s data availability.

Polymer seeks to address fragmentation and security issues in Ethereum’s Layer 2 ecosystem by providing a standardized and scalable solution for cross-chain communication while utilizing Ethereum’s security.^[1][2][3][4]

Products

Polymer Hub

Polymer Hub aims to enhance Ethereum interoperability as a rollup. It uses Ethereum’s state to validate transactions and requests between rollups, differing from traditional protocols that rely on off-chain infrastructure and additional trust assumptions.

The hub facilitates the creation of rollup clients for new chains and consolidates transaction validation into a single state. This approach seeks to reduce costs and improve scalability by efficiently managing state across multiple rollups and supporting cross-chain communication.^[5]

Polyverse

Launched March 6th, 2024, the Polyverse Testnet aims to enhance blockchain interoperability by evaluating and refining Polymer’s infrastructure. It provides a platform for developers and operators to contribute across three phases:

Phase 1 focuses on developing decentralized applications (dApps) and facilitating liquidity onboarding from other rollups. Phase 2 promotes high-quality dApps and incentivizes user participation. Phase 3 tests relayer models and seeks to improve incentive mechanisms for cross-chain communication.

Contributions are assessed based on a scoring rubric, with a leaderboard used to track performance and encourage engagement.^[7][1][9]

Monomer SDK

The Monomer SDK, developed by Nethermind and Polymer, aims to integrate Cosmos and Ethereum technologies by enabling Cosmos SDK and ABCI-compatible app chains to function as rollups on Ethereum.

It provides support for customization, various virtual machines, and Cosmos innovations. Future enhancements are expected to include a CometBFT-based sequencer and potentially Skip’s Slinky as an oracle. ^[8]

Funding

In November 2023, Polymer received $3.6 million in seed funding, led by Distributed Global and North Island Ventures, with participation from Digital Currency Group (DCG). This funding aims to advance blockchain interoperability by bridging IBC and non-IBC chains.

In January 2024, Polymer secured $23 million in Series A funding. This round was co-led by Blockchain Capital, Maven 11, and Distributed Global, with additional contributions from Coinbase Ventures, Placeholder, DCG, North Island Ventures, and Figment Capital. The funds are intended to support the development of Ethereum's interoperability hub and the PolymerDAO governance model.^[10][11]

Partnership Program

The Polymer Partnership Program aims to advance blockchain interoperability by involving contributors from various ecosystems. Individuals can start as Early Adopters by participating in the Incentivized Testnet (PIT), with the possibility of earning rewards. Those showing significant engagement may be invited to the Insiders group, where they gain additional support and access to user research.

The program also includes a Launch Partners tier for industry leaders. This group works closely with the Polymer team, receiving enhanced network visibility, strategic input opportunities, and priority support, all designed to further the development of blockchain interoperability.^[6]

Partnerships

Polymer x Celestia

In November 2023 Polymer and Celestia joined forces to explore integrating IBC with Celestia's rollups. This partnership aims to improve interoperability between rollups and potentially across other blockchains, focusing on advancing modular blockchain solutions.^[12]

Polymer x EigenLayer

In January 2023 Polymer formed a partnership with EigenLayer to advance interoperability and scalability within the Ethereum ecosystem. This collaboration aims to integrate EigenDA’s data availability technology with Polymer’s IBC (Inter-Blockchain Communication) framework. The objective is to improve connectivity and composability across Ethereum’s Layer 2 chains and potentially extend these benefits to other blockchains. The partnership seeks to address existing scalability challenges and enhance cross-chain communication.^[13]

Polymer x Catalyst

In February 2024 Polymer and Catalyst formed a partnership to address cross-chain liquidity and interoperability challenges. Catalyst, a cross-chain automated market maker (AMM), aims to use Polymer’s Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol to enable asset swaps across different chains. This collaboration seeks to improve liquidity management and facilitate the integration of new blockchains, with Polymer providing the infrastructure necessary for connecting transactions within the Ethereum Layer 2 ecosystem.^[14]

Polymer x Lagrange

In April 2024 Polymer established a partnership with Lagrange Labs to incorporate Lagrange’s State Committees into the IBC standard. This integration aims to enhance the speed and reliability of transactions on optimistic rollups by utilizing zero-knowledge proofs. The collaboration seeks to reduce validation costs and improve interoperability among different rollups.^[15]