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🏛️ Layer Separation: Execution vs Consensus

Understand how modular chains split responsibilities

Separate consensus, data availability, and execution

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Layer Separation

Modular blockchain **separates the four core functions** into independent layers that can be mixed and matched. Each layer specializes in one task, using optimal technology and security assumptions. This separation enables unprecedented flexibility and scalability.

For example: A rollup can use Ethereum for settlement (security), Celestia for data availability (cost), and custom EVM for execution (performance). Each layer is independently optimized and can be swapped without affecting others.

Interactive: Layer Explorer

Explore each blockchain layer and understand its role in the modular stack.

🔗

Consensus Layer

Order transactions and achieve agreement on state

Core Responsibilities
  • •Transaction ordering
  • •Validator coordination
  • •Finality guarantees
  • •Network security
Real-World Examples
Ethereum PoSTendermintCelestiaPolygon PoS
Key Metric
12s block time
✓ Separation Benefit
Can optimize for security without execution overhead

🔄 How Layers Interact

1
Execution Layer → DA Layer
Rollup publishes transaction data to Celestia/Ethereum
2
DA Layer → Consensus Layer
Consensus orders data blobs and achieves finality
3
Execution Layer → Settlement Layer
Rollup submits proof to Ethereum for verification
4
Settlement Layer → Users
Bridge contracts allow asset withdrawal to L1

Modular Stack Examples

Ethereum + Arbitrum

✅Settlement: Ethereum L1
💾Data Availability: Ethereum calldata
🔗Consensus: Ethereum PoS
⚡Execution: Arbitrum Nitro (custom)

Celestia + Rollup

✅Settlement: Ethereum or sovereign
💾Data Availability: Celestia
🔗Consensus: Celestia (Tendermint)
⚡Execution: Any (EVM, SVM, WASM)

Design Flexibility Benefits

🎯
Choose Your Security Model
Inherit Ethereum security or run sovereign chain with custom validators
💰
Optimize for Cost
Use cheap DA layer (Celestia) instead of expensive L1 calldata
🚀
Maximize Performance
Custom execution environment (SVM, WASM) optimized for your use case
🔄
Easy Upgrades
Swap layers independently without migrating entire chain
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