Hermez is a decentralized zk-rollup focused on scaling payments and token transfers on the Ethereum network to greatly decrease the cost of transactions while supporting community projects through its Proof-of-Donation mechanism

What is Hermez Network?​

Hermez Network (HEZ) stands out as a decentralized zk-rollup designed to enhance the scalability of payments and token transfers on Ethereum. By leveraging zero-knowledge rollups, Hermez aims to process thousands of transactions per second, significantly reducing costs and increasing efficiency. This Layer 2 solution operates on a permissionless and censorship-resistant network, ensuring robust security and accessibility.

A unique aspect of Hermez is its implementation of a permissionless auction system. This system allows potential coordinators to bid for the right to process transactions, promoting energy and cost efficiency. The network's open-source nature further underscores its commitment to transparency and community involvement.

Hermez Network's recent acquisition by Polygon for $250 million marks a significant milestone. This integration into the Polygon ecosystem is expected to bolster its capabilities, aligning with Polygon's broader vision of creating a more inclusive and accessible blockchain payment network.

The Proof-of-Donation mechanism is another innovative feature of Hermez. This approach supports community projects by allocating a portion of transaction fees to various initiatives, fostering a sense of community and shared growth. Through these combined efforts, Hermez Network aims to provide universal access to financial services, making blockchain technology more accessible to a global audience.

What is the technology behind Hermez Network?​

The Hermez Network, symbolized by HEZ, represents a sophisticated approach to enhancing the scalability of the Ethereum blockchain. At its core, Hermez leverages a decentralized scalability model known as zero-knowledge rollups (zk-rollups). This technology allows for the bundling of multiple transactions into a single batch, which is then processed off-chain. By doing so, it significantly reduces the computational load on the Ethereum mainnet, enabling faster and more cost-effective transactions.

Zero-knowledge rollups are a pivotal component of Hermez's technology. They work by generating cryptographic proofs that verify the correctness of the bundled transactions without revealing any specific details about them. This ensures that the data remains private and secure while still being verifiable by the network. The zk-rollup mechanism not only enhances transaction throughput but also maintains the integrity and security of the blockchain.

Security is further bolstered through Hermez's permissionless auction system for coordinators. In this system, coordinators are responsible for aggregating transactions and generating zk-proofs. The auction mechanism ensures that only the most efficient and cost-effective coordinators are selected, which helps to prevent centralization and potential attacks from bad actors. By making the coordinator selection process competitive and transparent, Hermez mitigates the risk of malicious entities compromising the network.

Another innovative aspect of Hermez is its integration with a private self-sovereign identity system. This feature allows users to maintain control over their personal data and identity, enhancing privacy and security. Users can interact with the network without exposing sensitive information, which is particularly important in the context of decentralized finance (DeFi) and other blockchain applications.

Hermez also incorporates a community-centric protocol known as Proof-of-Donation. This mechanism supports community projects by allocating a portion of transaction fees to fund various initiatives. By doing so, Hermez not only scales the Ethereum network but also contributes to the broader blockchain ecosystem, fostering innovation and development.

In addition to these features, Hermez is undergoing a significant transformation through its merger with Polygon, a prominent layer 2 platform on the Ethereum blockchain. This merger, valued at 250 million MATIC, aims to combine the strengths of both platforms, further enhancing scalability and reducing transaction costs. The integration with Polygon is expected to bring additional resources and expertise, accelerating the development and adoption of Hermez's technology.

The decentralized nature of Hermez, combined with its advanced zk-rollup technology, permissionless auction system, self-sovereign identity, and community-focused initiatives, positions it as a robust solution for scaling the Ethereum network. By addressing both scalability and security challenges, Hermez enables more efficient and secure transactions, paving the way for broader adoption of blockchain technology.

What are the real-world applications of Hermez Network?​

Hermez Network (HEZ) is a decentralized zk-rollup designed to scale payments and token transfers on the Ethereum network. It aims to significantly reduce transaction costs while supporting community projects through its Proof-of-Donation mechanism. This innovative approach has several real-world applications.

One of the primary applications of Hermez Network is simplifying and reducing costs for person-to-person payments. By leveraging zk-rollup technology, Hermez can bundle multiple transactions into a single batch, thereby lowering the overall transaction fees. This makes it more affordable for individuals to send and receive digital currencies, promoting the broader adoption of cryptocurrencies.

Another significant application is the creation of a private self-sovereign identity to support the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. Hermez Network enables users to maintain control over their personal data while participating in various DeFi activities. This enhances privacy and security, which are crucial in the digital age.

Hermez Network also provides a scalable payments and universal settlement layer for moving token-based digital currencies. This scalability is essential for handling a large volume of transactions efficiently, making it suitable for both small and large-scale financial activities. Businesses and individuals can benefit from faster and more reliable transactions, which is particularly useful in a globalized economy.

Additionally, Hermez Network supports low-cost and efficient transaction fees, which are vital for the widespread use of digital currencies. Lower fees make it feasible for more people to engage in cryptocurrency transactions, thus fostering financial inclusion.

Staking is another critical application of Hermez Network. Users can stake their HEZ tokens to contribute to the network's security and reliability. This not only helps maintain the integrity of the network but also provides an opportunity for users to earn rewards, incentivizing active participation in the ecosystem.

Hermez Network's Proof-of-Donation mechanism further distinguishes it by supporting community projects. A portion of the transaction fees collected is donated to various community initiatives, promoting social good and encouraging the development of beneficial projects within the blockchain space.

What key events have there been for Hermez Network?​

Hermez Network (HEZ) emerged as a decentralized zk-rollup solution aimed at scaling payments and token transfers on the Ethereum network. This innovative approach significantly reduces transaction costs while supporting community projects through its Proof-of-Donation mechanism.

One of the pivotal moments for Hermez Network was the launch of its open-source scalability model. This model leverages zk-rollup technology to enhance transaction throughput on Ethereum, addressing the network's congestion and high fees. By bundling multiple transactions into a single batch, Hermez Network ensures efficient and cost-effective processing.

Another significant development was the creation of a private self-sovereign identity system. This system empowers users with control over their digital identities, enhancing privacy and security within the blockchain ecosystem. It aligns with the broader movement towards decentralized identity solutions, offering users autonomy over their personal data.

The implementation of a permissionless auction system for coordinators marked another key milestone. This system allows anyone to become a coordinator by participating in an open auction, fostering a decentralized and competitive environment. Coordinators play a crucial role in the zk-rollup process, managing the batching and submission of transactions to the Ethereum mainnet.

Hermez Network garnered media attention for its innovative solutions and contributions to the blockchain space. The availability of a media kit for download underscores the project's commitment to transparency and engagement with the broader community.

A transformative event occurred when Hermez Network was acquired by Polygon in August 2021. This acquisition aimed to integrate Hermez's zk-rollup technology into Polygon's ecosystem, enhancing scalability and interoperability. The merger signified a strategic move to combine resources and expertise, furthering the mission of scaling Ethereum.

Following the acquisition, there was a significant token change. The original HEZ token was replaced with the Polygon Hermez token (MATIC), aligning with the broader Polygon ecosystem. This transition facilitated seamless integration and provided token holders with enhanced utility and benefits within the expanded network.

Hermez Network's journey reflects a series of strategic developments and innovations aimed at addressing Ethereum's scalability challenges. From the launch of its zk-rollup solution to its acquisition by Polygon and subsequent token transition, each event has contributed to the project's evolution and impact on the blockchain landscape.

Who are the founders of Hermez Network?​

Hermez Network (HEZ) is a decentralized zk-rollup designed to scale payments and token transfers on the Ethereum network, significantly reducing transaction costs while supporting community projects through its Proof-of-Donation mechanism. The founders of Hermez Network are Antoni Martin, David Z., and Jordi Baylina. Antoni Martin has a background in blockchain technology and has been instrumental in the strategic direction of Hermez. David Z. brings extensive experience in software development and cryptography, playing a crucial role in the technical implementation. Jordi Baylina is a well-known figure in the Ethereum community, recognized for his contributions to smart contract development and security.