Optimism chain started as a chain that would allow other hyperchains to exist. And so they offered a stack through which hyperchains can be created. Coinbase's base chain is one such product built out of the optimisms stack. And there are many other small chains out there in the hyperchain listing.
Now there are other players coming out to challenge the way Optmism allows the stacks to create the hyperchain. Zksync the people behind Ethereum's rollup world are also cocming up with their own product called zkStack.
Let's talk about the zkStack and how it has use case for the consumers like us.
What is zkStack? How does it work?
Hyperchains are a layer 2 product and they are independent of the layer 1 chain. And they want to keep variety of the actions like sovereignty with seamless connectivity to be also included in the list of features which would kind of gives more power to the developers and the organizations who choose to deploy their chains on the layer 2. So zkStack happens to offer that functionality in the hyperchain.
zkStack is meant to be used when you want a network where you are not interestedin base chain features and more interested in expanding your own set of features on the hyperchain. And that level of freedom is offered in this stack. When you want to connect with variety of other chains, build bridges and have the faster transaction experience with less fees, zkStack is what you choose.
You can read about it's features more in depth here.
How does zkStack competes with Optimism's OP stack?
Optimism currently has a liquidity related issues and that fragmentation with the hyperchain would be some of the issues that zkStack has considered. If things work out properly then the zkStack would be worth exploring as an alternative of the Optimism's OP stack. Which in general is the direction that would be happening for the zkSync.
I feel that if the hyperchain development is the concern, then there are plenty of chains out there for the layer 2. However all the features and the options that we have right now, the one to choose would be under the choice of the developers and they would find the zkStack more attractive as it has more feature set for specific use case.
Hyperchains are the future considering the layer 1 chains are thick as wall in most of the cases. Some of them born as a layer 1 proof of work. It becomes harder for the people to change and use them for the extension of the use cases. And that means it would be reasonable to choose the right layer 2 stacks that would make the hyperchains more usable.
That is the direction arbitrum, optimism and the zkSync are taking. Though each one have their own way to handle the hyperchain stacks. But the point remains that which stack would be more better for the use case. Another thing is that it would be not that easy to assume hyperchains would also require major development in order to sustain just like layer 1 upgrades.
Zksync is know for it's contribution on the ethereum chain. However they getting into the layer 2 hyperchain stack with zkStack would be something we have to look out for as a blockchain consumer.