🏛️ Plasma Architecture: Child Chains
Understand hierarchical chains and merkle root commitments
Explore Ethereum's first Layer 2 scaling solution
Your Progress
0 / 5 completed🏗️ Plasma Architecture Deep Dive
Plasma architecture consists of three interconnected layers working together to provide scalability while maintaining security through Ethereum.
🎮 Interactive Architecture Explorer
Select a layer to explore its role, components, and how it interacts with other layers.
Root Chain (Ethereum)
Security anchor - stores commitments and manages exits
Child Chain
High-throughput execution - processes transactions off-chain
Users
Fast, cheap transactions with ability to exit if needed
💰 Deposit Flow Simulator
Simulate depositing ETH into a Plasma chain. See how your funds become available for fast, cheap transactions.
After deposit confirmation
One-time Ethereum gas
@$0.01 each
🔄 Block Commitment Process
Transaction Collection
Operator collects ~1,000 transactions from users. Validates signatures and balances.
Block Creation
Transactions are organized into a Merkle tree. Root hash represents entire block state.
Ethereum Commitment
Merkle root is submitted to Plasma contract on Ethereum. Gas cost: ~50,000 gas ($2-10).
Finalization
After commitment, block is considered secured by Ethereum. Users can now safely build on this state.
🔑 Key Architectural Properties
Independent Execution
Child chain runs its own consensus and processes transactions without waiting for Ethereum. Enables 1,000+ TPS.
Periodic Anchoring
Commitments to Ethereum every ~15 seconds create checkpoints. Anchors child chain security to Ethereum's immutability.
Fraud Proof System
Anyone can challenge invalid blocks by submitting fraud proofs to Ethereum. Operators are penalized for misbehavior.
Exit to Safety
Users can always exit to Ethereum with Merkle proofs. Provides ultimate security - even if operator disappears.