Another recent scalability proposal is Plasma, which has been proposed by Joseph Poon and Vitalik Buterin.
This proposal describes the idea of running smart contracts on root blockchain (Ethereum MainNet) and have child blockchains that perform high number of transactions to feedback small amounts of commitments to the parent chain.
The Layer 2 Scaling Solution That Boosts Transaction Throughput
In this scheme, blockchains are arranged in a tree hierarchy with mining performed only on the root (main) blockchain which feeds the proofs of security down to child chains.
This is also called a Layer-2 system, like state channels also operate on Layer 2, and not on the main chain.
Why This Matters for Blockchain Technology
Understanding Plasma is not just an academic exercise — it has real-world implications for how blockchain systems are designed, deployed, and secured. Whether you are a developer building decentralized applications, a business leader evaluating blockchain adoption, or a curious learner exploring the technology, this knowledge provides a critical foundation.
Key Points to Remember
- Plasma Another recent scalability proposal is Plasma, which has been proposed by Joseph Poon and Vitalik Buterin.
- This proposal describes the idea of running smart contracts on root blockchain (Ethereum MainNet) and have child blockchains that perform high number of transactions to feedback small amounts of commitments to the parent chain.
- In this scheme, blockchains are arranged in a tree hierarchy with mining performed only on the root (main) blockchain which feeds the proofs of security down to child chains.
- This is also called a Layer-2 system, like state channels also operate on Layer 2, and not on the main chain.
Conclusion
Plasma represents one of the many innovative layers that make blockchain technology so powerful and transformative. As distributed systems continue to evolve, a solid understanding of these core concepts becomes increasingly valuable — not just for developers, but for anyone building, investing in, or working alongside blockchain-powered systems.
Whether you are just starting your blockchain journey or deepening existing expertise, mastering these fundamentals gives you the tools to think clearly about decentralized systems and make smarter decisions in this rapidly evolving space.