Today, we spotlight three rising stars challenging the reigning champions: Linea, Starknet, and Taiko.

You should read this post to stay abreast of the innovations in the L2 race.

But on the low, reading this could propel you to the front line for exciting airdrop opportunities.

Sounds interesting? LFG!

TLDR 📃

• New contenders in the L2 race: Linea, Starknet, and Taiko.
• Linea by ConsenSys is a developer-friendly L2 network with major protocols already onboard.
• Starknet has a "Quantum Leap" upgrade on July 13 to improve its competitiveness.
• Taiko is a new L2 solution focusing on a Type 1 zkEVM design approach.

Disclaimer: Not financial or investment advice. Any capital-related decisions you make are your responsibility and yours only.

ConsenSys joins the L2 race with Linea 🏎

ConsenSys, the company behind well-known crypto products like MetaMask and Infura, has entered the L2 race with Linea, its zkEVM rollup. And no, this is not a drill – the project has gone from testnet to mainnet.

Linea is different from other Layer 2 networks because it is designed for developers. For instance, developers will not need to learn new programming languages or skills to build on Linea.

Unsurprisingly, big names like Aave, Pancakeswap, Sushiswap, and Kyber network are already on board.

Will there be a token? 🪙

ConsenSys has officially stated it has no immediate plans for a token. We suspect that ConsenSys, based in the U.S., may face regulatory limitations that prevent them from openly advertising a token launch.

It is conceivable that they will establish a Linea Foundation outside the U.S., which would have the autonomy to create a token and seed a DAO.

It's crucial to remember the valuable lesson learned from past instances, such as OffChain Labs initially claiming Arbitrum would not have a token, only to launch one eventually.

That said, Linea says users who participated in the testnet can claim an NFT. This NFT proves that you were among the first to try it out.

Based on this observation, early participants of Linea who received the testnet NFT may be poised for a rewarding airdrop in the future.

However, the testnet campaign for early users to test out Linea has gone. We shared this opportunity in Discord while the news was hot. Make sure to join us on Discord so you don’t miss future opportunities.

Starknet plans 'Quantum Leap' upgrade on July 13 

Our next contender is not exactly a newbie, but it’s gearing for an upgrade that might as well make it a new entrant.

Starknet launched its first version in 2022 but has mostly fallen behind, with its TVL being considerably lower than its main competitor, zkSync.

Introducing Quantum Leap 🧮

However, like Arbitrum Nitro in 2022, Starknet is launching its transformative upgrade on July 13th. This Quantum Leap aims to enhance the network's performance, challenging the likes of zkSync and pushing the boundaries of transaction speeds.

After Quantum Leap, there will be two additional upgrades for Starknet later this year. One aims to reduce transaction costs, while the other focuses on making the network more developer-friendly.

When will Starknet finally launch its token? 🪙

Amidst all the anticipation, one burning question remains: When will Starknet launch its eagerly awaited $STRK token?

While the wait continues, it's essential to understand the factors at play. Starkware's previous funding round valued the company at $8 billion.

With such a high valuation for private investors, there is immense pressure on Starkware to launch Starknet at an even higher valuation. It is possible that they feel the current market conditions need to be more favourable to achieve that goal.

However, there is still a possibility that Starkware might conduct an airdrop. Therefore, we recommend engaging in transactions on Starknet to qualify for that potential opportunity.

Loopring + Taiko: Ready for Layer 3 🔊

Hold onto your seats for the most captivating opportunity: Taiko, a groundbreaking Layer 2 solution.

What makes Taiko unique is its focus on building a "Type 1 zkEVM." If you're wondering what that means, here's a brief explanation:

Vitalik Buterin has categorised all zk-EVMs into four types. He says type 1 zkEVM has the optimal design approach for scaling Ethereum.

Each type has different benefits and tradeoffs; currently, most zk-EVMs are type 4 projects.

However, Taiko ambitiously begins as a Type 1 network. This bold decision reflects a dedication to innovation.

And beyond ideas, the brains behind Taiko, Daniel Wang and Matthew Finestone are seasoned executors.

They honed their expertise at the decentralised exchange, Loopring. And now, they’ve raised $22 million to build Taiko.

They've already managed to strike their first significant partnership even while Taiko is in the testnet phase. Loopring announced that it will launch its Layer 3 on top of Taiko.

With Loopring's impressive $97.41 million on its current network, the potential transfer of value to Taiko's Layer 3 presents a solid headstart for the platform.

How can I qualify for a Taiko airdrop? 🪙

Now, let's talk about the potential for a Taiko airdrop.

Although Taiko remains in the testnet phase, there are rumours of an upcoming TKO airdrop. To position yourself for potential rewards, we recommend actively engaging in both the testnet and mainnet to become eligible.

Among the three contenders we've highlighted, Taiko garners the least attention, which bodes well for those seeking a generous airdrop opportunity.

Cryptonary’s take 🧠

The L2 race is heating up, and Linea, Starknet, and Taiko are joining the fray, determined to carve out their slice of the pie.

We believe that for a Layer 2 project to stay in the game, it will have to launch a token eventually.

Let's not be fooled by networks claiming to forgo token launches. More often than not, it's a temporary stance driven by regulatory considerations. Trust us; they’ll likely end up decentralising and introducing their token sooner or later.

That's why we urge you to explore Linea, Starknet, and, most notably, Taiko. Taiko shines brightly with its remarkable partnership with Loopring, signalling an edge over its competitors.

With a distinctive approach to Layer 2 and a promising trajectory, Taiko has the potential to unlock significant upside.

As the L2 revolution gains momentum, now is the time to place your bets!

As always, thanks for reading. 🙏

Cryptonary, out!