LayerZero as a bridge between Ethereum and the Goerli testnet – Controversial community

The LayerZero cross-chain solution claims to have created a bridge between the Ethereum mainnet and the Goerli testnet, but not everyone welcomes this initiative.

On February 21, LayerZero, the protocol that provides solutions for linking blockchains and behind the Stargate Finance (STG) bridge, announced the launch of a new product called Testnet Bridge.

Testnet Bridge is a bridge between Ethereum mainnet (main blockchain) and tesnet Goerli (test blockchain) of Ethereum, providing developers with a way to transfer assets between Ethereum and Goerli.

Public Goods by LayerZero

We’re excited to introduce the Testnet Bridge as the first of several tools we launch for the Ethereum developer community.

Cliffs: Get Goerli-ETH quickly, easily, and begin testing ASAP without camping faucets or feeling stranded pic.twitter.com/CTxZFxwgvF

— LayerZero Labs (@LayerZero_Labs) February 21, 2023

LayerZero has set up swap pools through Uniswap DEX exchange for users to switch back and forth between mainnet ETH (ETH) and Goerli-ETH (gETH), eliminating the need to receive Goerli ETH via Goerli faucet. The price of gETH will initially be set at 0.1 USD and in the pool there will be 12,500 gETH. Users will swap and let the price fluctuate automatically.

The design of the Token Bridge will include 2 different pools located at the 2 ends of the bridge:

The developer said that one of the biggest hurdles for projects when testing on Goerli is never being able to collect enough ETH-Goerli via faucet to serve demand, not to mention the endless waiting time. long. Therefore, creating a simpler and more accessible way to ETH on Goerli is considered by LayerZero to be a “public good”, a form of public good for the benefit of the entire Ethereum community.

In essence, the above action will make Goerli-ETH be seen as a true token, with its own financial value and redeemable for ETH, instead of existing independently on Goerli.

A similar model in the crypto industry is Polkadot (DOT) and its test network Kusama (KSM). Both are blockchains, although Kusama has its own token and is traded, it is only seen as a test network for changes on Polkadot.

LayerZero’s move is receiving mixed reactions from the Ethereum community. The majority of opinions are against, saying that Ethereum does not need to finance its testnet like that, not to mention the unforeseen consequences of that. Opponents also argue that testing on Goerli should be free through the token receiving the faucet, not spending money to swap for gETH,

This is not a public good.

This is harmful.

Ethereum does not have a canary network, and you’re creating value on a network that hasn’t had thoughtful economics.

The largest holders of Goerli (myself included) have been against markets for a reason.

Testing should be free https://t.co/bjGUpcxL1O

— Greg | DON’T SELL GOERLI (@gregthegreek) February 21, 2023

In addition, working as a bridge to Goerli is also criticized for using the testnet for the wrong purposes when, by design, this testnet serves the testing activities of validators, while the other testnet is the new Sepholia which is more suitable for dApps.

MUST WATCH VIDEO

Afri *clearly* explains how to use testnets.https://t.co/cAKkb76TL6

IMO the most important slide pic.twitter.com/tMO5HFq82V

— Greg | DON’T SELL GOERLI (@gregthegreek) February 22, 2023

However, supporters agree with LayerZero’s argument, arguing that it takes a lot of work to get enough Goerli-ETH to serve demand, and accuse many parties of speculating on testnet tokens.

“testnet ETH should be free”

okay, but don’t see you sending me any

what you really mean with your actions is “testnet ETH accrual should be gated behind time-intensive activities”

your moralizing has no power here, it’s tradeoffs all the way down

— foobar (@0xfoobar) February 22, 2023

Synthetic Kyptos