Linea is a Layer-2 zero-knowledge (zkEVM) rollup developed by ConsenSys, the same company behind Metamask wallet and other infrastructure such as Infura and Truffle. With high performance, robust tooling, and ease of use on a zk-rollup network, Linea maintains full compatibility with the broader EVM ecosystem. 

Linea has grown to be a popular platform for both developers and users since its mainnet launch in mid-2023, and has since taken on a leading role in payments as the primary network used to settle trasnactions on MetaMask Card.

Key features of Linea L2

zkEVM with full EVM equivalence

Linea is fully EVM-equivalent, making it a Type 2 zkEVM on Vitalik Buterin’s 5-point scale. This means it supports Ethereum-compatible code without the need for modifications, so developers can easily port their apps to Linea. This creates a low-friction environment for deployment and interoperability, and enables projects to work on Linea in much the same way as on Ethereum itself, while benefiting from the lower fees and high speeds offered by zk-rollups.

Linea does not issue a native token, instead using ETH to pay for gas fees like Base and Scroll, which may appeal to users seeking a streamlined experience without the need to acquire additional tokens.

Cost efficiency and transaction throughput

As with other L2s, Linea's use of zk-rollups results in lower transaction costs compared to Ethereum mainnet, by processing transactions off-chain and batching them for settlement on Ethereum. Compared to Optimistic Rollups such as OP Mainnet or Base, zk-rollups are somewhat slower due to generating transaction proofs, but this means they also do not experience the typical 7-day withdrawal delay that Optimistic rollups do.

App ecosystem

Linea has established a loyal ecosystem that includes DeFi, NFTs, and deSocial:

DeFi: there are multiple protocols purpose-built for Linea including Lynex AMM and Mendi Finance lending protocol.

NFTs: Linea’s NFT ecosystem includes Phosphor.xyz and NFTs2Me, with no-code tools for creating NFT collections, ghostNFT for NFT collateralization and fundraising.

Social apps: platforms like Tomo allow for social tokenization, content monetization, and seamless cross-chain transfers. 

Payments: the launch of MetaMask Card enables easy payments using crypto, currently in its pilot phase in the EU and UK.  

Life on Linea campaign

Life on Linea is a creative and community-focused campaign designed to engage both users and developers in the Linea ecosystem. Running from October 21 to November 24, 2024, the campaign features two contest tracks: one for users to showcase their experiences on Linea, and another for developers to build and share innovative projects. In each track, participants can win a share of a 2.5 ETH weekly prize pool, which is awarded based on community votes by designated Linea curators.

Participants can also mint their contest entries as NFTs using Phosphor.xyz and gain a 20% vote boost when the link is added to their social media posts, while receiving 45% of the mint fees. The remaining 55% goes into a Collector Prize Pool, meant to reward the most engaged collectors

Build on Linea: for developers, this segment targets builders of new apps, integrations, or improvements that enhance the Linea ecosystem. Developers share their projects to receive recognition based on community voting and engagement.

Linea decentralization roadmap

Linea is considered a Stage 0 rollup and is currently overseen by ConsenSys. That said, Linea’s decentralization roadmap is aimed at transferring governance to the community over time through increased control by token holders, with plans for community-led governance by 2025.

Why choose Linea?

For developers and users, Linea combines Ethereum’s security and compatibility with the advantages of a zk-rollup, including lower fees, high transaction speeds, and a broad, tokenless ecosystem. Its integration with ConsenSys’s suite of tools, from MetaMask to Infura, makes Linea particularly attractive for developers looking to deploy scalable dApps with minimal migration efforts. The network’s rapid growth in Total Value Locked (TVL) and its decentralized roadmap suggest a promising future as a high-performance, community-driven zkEVM Layer-2.

Trade on Linea with Matcha! 

Linea has established itself as a powerful Layer-2 zk-rollup that serves both users and developers. Its zkEVM architecture, combined with ConsenSys’s ecosystem support, has made it a compelling addition to the L2 landscape. 

Matcha aggregates liquidity from over 16 DEXs on Linea, plus private market makers, to deliver the best prices on every trade. It also uses intermediate token swaps to squeeze out the most value. Check out this $1M trade from WETH to USDC:

With Matcha, you save money by getting the deepst liquidity in real time. Learn more about how our trade routing works and try it for yourself. Bridge to Linea on Matcha for the best rates with our cross-chain swaps feature and zero added fees! Trade now at matcha.xyz.