The blockchain world is undergoing a fundamental shift. What once seemed possible—scaling Web3 to internet size with a single chain—is now recognized as unrealistic. The future belongs to specialized chains that excel at specific tasks while seamlessly communicating with one another.
This week on The Index, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Mark Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs, to discuss the next chapter in open source development and explore how the Aggregation Layer is unlocking a new era of blockchain interoperability. Unlike traditional bridges that rely on wrapped assets, the Aggregation Layer leverages zero-knowledge proofs to verify chain states and enable secure cross-chain transactions—solving critical issues with settlement control and reorganization risks that have long plagued current solutions.
Boiron also unpacks the rapid evolution of zero-knowledge development. What experts once predicted would take 5–10 years has already been achieved in just two, hinting at an even greater wave of breakthroughs to come—both within and beyond blockchain.
Rather than framing chains as competitors, Boiron envisions an ecosystem of collaboration, where specialized networks focus on their strengths—whether payments, gaming, or DeFi—while remaining interconnected. Even chains often seen as rivals, like Solana, could eventually integrate into this unified experience as demand for cross-chain assets grows.
Ready to rethink blockchain scaling and interoperability? Tune in now to discover why the next era of Web3 won’t be about competition between chains, but collaboration across them.
Website: https://polygon.technology/
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