One of the blockchain industry’s biggest advantages is innovation. There are new projects launched everyday, and each new project has to offer something new due to how competitive the crypto market is. As a result, these projects must offer more security, scalability or interoperability than their predecessors.

Despite the constant development of new projects, several should be recognized for introducing foundational technologies still used by crypto projects today. One such project is Kroma, Ethereum’s first Layer 2 solution to implement zero-knowledge fault proofs.

What is Kroma?

Source: https://kroma.network/

Kroma is a Layer 2 blockchain platform designed to host gaming ecosystems. It is also the first universal stage 2 Layer 2 solution on Ethereum. It was built using the OP Stack framework, making Kroma part of the Optimism Superchain (a network of rollup blockchains collaborating to improve blockchain transactions).

As a gaming-centric project, Kroma was created to give game developers and players a cheap and secure environment to build and enjoy Web3 games. However, besides supporting Web3 gaming and NFT projects, Kroma also handles DeFi and infrastructure dApps. The project’s goal is to eventually upgrade into a universal ZK rollup as soon as it becomes easier and cheaper to generate ZK proofs. This will, in turn, make the platform more secure.

History of Kroma

Kroma was launched in September 2023 as a gaming-focused Layer 2 solution for Ethereum. It was developed by Lightscale, a blockchain development team founded by Taekyu Park and Derek Junyoung Chang. Lightscale was also a subsidiary of Wemade, a major South Korean game development company. Such backing from a leading Asian gaming company helped confirm Kroma’s credibility and attracted even more interest from the gaming and blockchain investment communities.

Since its launch, Kroma has quickly grown and now hosts over 117 dApps, with up to 42 of these being GameFi projects. For example, dApps like Wellxy and Xenobunny offer unique blockchain experiences with aspects of gaming, fitness, and even DeFi elements.

The project has also gained support from the crypto community, raising an undisclosed amount in its Series A funding round. Nonetheless, this round featured investments from companies like Gate Ventures, ICC Ventures, Planetarium, Presto, RFD Capital, Taisu Ventures, The Spartan Group, Waterdrip Capital, amongst others.

How Does Kroma Work?

Kroma is a Layer 2 solution that supports fast and efficient transactions, making it the ideal option for gaming and other high-volume applications. It was built on the OP Stack framework as part of the Optimism Superchain, and uses a unique approach that combines the strengths of both Optimistic Rollups and Zero-Knowledge (ZK) Proofs. This combination allows Kroma to process transactions off-chain, using advanced cryptographic proofs to identify and correct any potential errors or malicious activity.

Kroma’s system revolves around four key stakeholders in a delegated proof-of-stake system (DPoS). They include sequencers, validator nodes, full nodes, and end users. Sequencers are responsible for grouping off-chain transactions into blocks and sending them to the Ethereum blockchain for final settlement. Validator nodes then confirm the validity of these transactions. They can challenge the block if they find any issues by submitting zero-knowledge fault proofs.

Meanwhile, full nodes keep the network’s full transaction history and help ensure overall network consensus, while end users can easily transfer their assets between Ethereum and Kroma.

This structure allows Kroma to maintain optimal performance. Transaction blocks are finalized in less than two seconds on the platform, and the average gas fee is less than a cent, which is considerably lower than Ethereum’s typical $3 fee.

Under normal circumstances, Kroma operates on an optimistic rollup model, assuming all transactions are valid unless challenged. However, if a problem arises, the network uses ZK proofs to validate the transactions quickly, thus ensuring security and efficiency.

As stated earlier, Kroma plans to transition into a universal ZK-rollup system after ZK technology matures enough. Nonetheless, Kroma will remain compatible with the Optimism Superchain, thanks to the modular nature of the OP Stack. This means Kroma will continue to enjoy the shared resources and innovations in the broader Superchain network, while providing users with a scalable, secure, and user-friendly platform for all their blockchain needs.

Main Features of Kroma

Features include:

Kroma Spectrum

Source: https://spectrum.kroma.network/

Kroma Spectrum is Kroma’s native liquid staking solution that helps users earn extra rewards on their digital investments. With Kroma Spectrum, users can deposit Ethereum (ETH) or liquid staking tokens (like stETH and eETH) into special vaults hosted on the ether.fi platform and receive a new token called spETH. spETH is a synthetic token created by combining different liquid staking tokens, representing your share in the vault.

Kroma Spectrum is designed to maximize user earnings and assets. For example, after depositing your assets, they are locked as weETH tokens inside the vaults, where they generate additional yields consistently. At the same time, users can leverage the spETH tokens to earn more reward points from up to three different DeFi platforms: Kroma, ether.fi, and EigenLayer.

With one deposit, users can benefit from multiple rewards and access more yield opportunities. Moreover, spETH holders and users can also enjoy access to loyalty points and exclusive airdrops, including KRO tokens. Both benefits make Spectrum a powerful tool for anyone looking to capitalize on their staking investments.

Kroma Creative Universe (KCU)

Source: https://kcu.kroma.network/

Kroma Creative Universe (KCU) is an immersive, gamified environment built on Kroma that invites users to explore and create while earning digital rewards. In the KCU, users can mint their own digital characters called Kromans (inhabitants of the digital universe), complete engaging quests, and collect a resource known as Ore.

Ore, the lifeblood of the KCU, is a scarce, naturally occurring resource that gamers can collect by completing quests or fusing Ore fragments. Because it is limited, gathering Ore early and consistently is crucial for unlocking new items and advancing the game. Ore is also important because it unlocks Mystic Boxes, which contain new gear and items to enhance Kroman NFTs. It also allows users to socialize with other players and provides various opportunities for them to qualify for special KRO token airdrops.

The story of KCU is inspired by an ancient civilization that once existed in the same universe. As such, every action a player takes contributes to the continuation of the universe’s story. As you journey through KCU, you’ll discover the major resources from the game, including Kromans, Ore, and the Factory. The Factory is a crafting facility that transforms Ore into essential survival items for your Kroman, and also increases your rewards and reputation within the community.

Kroma Guardian House (KGH)

Source: https://kgh.kroma.network/

Kroma Guardian House (KGH) is a staking platform designed for KRO holders and NFT collectors to help strengthen the security of the Kroma network and receive rewards. It was launched in October 2024 and has locked up to 30.7 million KRO tokens, with over 2,000 NFTs.

With KGH, staking KRO tokens or NFTs allows users to validate transactions on Kroma’s Layer 2 network through its delegated proof-of-stake system. As rewards, they receive a share of the block rewards in additional KRO tokens.

The rewards you earn show your commitment to the network and are distributed based on the total staked amount and the specific validator you choose. In the future, those who stake KRO may also gain the opportunity to join Kroma’s governance forum, further ensuring that the community makes decisions.

When you stake KRO tokens, your share of the network’s validator rewards increases proportionally to the amount you contribute. In addition, staking KGH NFTs boosts your rewards even further, allowing you to earn even more tokens. This dual-staking mechanism not only ensures the security of the network, but also offers an attractive option for participants to earn passive income.

Kroma Security Council

Source: https://docs.kroma.network/governance/kroma-security-council

The Kroma Security Council is a group of at least eight trusted organizations that serve as the final security checkpoint for the Kroma network. Ten members include Animoca Brands, Cosmostation, Hexlant, InfStones, Kroma Foundation, Luganodes, Neuler, Node Guardians, WEMIX Foundation, and Xangle.

Essentially, the security council works together to ensure that all transactions and blocks on Kroma are secure and free from inconsistencies. As such, if any problem arises (such as an issue raised by a fault proof), the council will resolve it, ensuring the network remains safe and reliable.

However, this council isn’t only focused on security; it also plays a vital role in developing the network. Members of the council can propose and vote on changes to Kroma’s smart contracts on both the main Ethereum chain (Layer 1) and Kroma’s own network (Layer 2). The council uses a multisignature system, meaning that several members must agree upon decisions instead of one single party. This approach adds another layer of trust and transparency to the entire governance process.

Each member of the Security Council is given a soul-bound token (SBT) that proves their membership. As a result, only accounts holding this token can participate in proposing or voting on changes through the Kroma Security Council DAO.

Kroma Bridge

Source: https://kcu.kroma.network/?dialog=bridgeTransfer

Kroma Bridge is a blockchain that allows users to move their crypto assets seamlessly between Ethereum (the Layer 1) and the Kroma network (the Layer 2). Essentially, it is a digital bridge connecting two blockchains, allowing users to enjoy Kroma’s fast and cheap transactions, while still using Ethereum’s established system.

Source: https://docs.kroma.network/users/use-the-bridge#withdraw-from-l2-to-l1

To deposit funds from Ethereum to Kroma, you first need to connect your wallet via MetaMask to the Kroma Bridge website. Afterward, select ETH as the token you want to transfer and then enter the amount you wish to move. Next, click “Move Funds to Kroma” and confirm the transaction, and your ETH will be sent to the Kroma network. You can also check your transaction history to see how it is progressing.

Withdrawing funds from Kroma back to Ethereum is a bit more complex since withdrawals typically take about 7 days to complete. This is because the system uses a validator mechanism based on Optimism Rollup technology to check the validity of each transaction. As such, if you need to withdraw immediately, third-party bridges are a quicker alternative.

Kropot

Source: https://kropot.io/

Kropot (formerly known as Kroket) is a new Web3 app designed to gamify blockchain interactions. The platform was launched in January 2025, and it allows users to earn points by completing everyday tasks like quizzes, mini-games, and other fun missions. These points can then be exchanged for digital assets such as KRO and OP tokens or even real-world rewards like coupons and vouchers.

Kropot is powered by Kroma ID, a new feature designed to handle all the complicated parts of dealing with blockchain technology, like managing private keys and gas fees. As such, users can interact with decentralized apps (dApps) easily and securely without having to be experts in Web3 technology.

What is KRO?

KRO is the native token of the Kroma Ecosystem. It is mainly used to pay gas fees, and it has other functions, including staking, governance, and incentives for participation. It is an ERC-20 token launched in October 2024, a year after the Kroma mainnet was launched.

KRO Tokenomics

Source: https://docs.kroma.network/introduction/kro-tokenomics/token-allocation

KRO has a total supply of 1 billion, a circulating supply of 114.60 million tokens, and a market cap of $1.44 million. The token was distributed as follows:

• 43% was allocated to the ecosystem fund
• 17% was reserved for a community airdrop
• 25% went to investors
• 15% was reserved for the team and advisors

News on KRO

In a February letter to community members, Kroma detailed 2025 as a “breakthrough year” for Web3’s (and, by extension, the project’s) mass adoption. As such, Kroma plans to take advantage of this upcoming trend in multiple ways.

First, Kroma intends to strengthen collaborations with different experts to implement ZK proofs more scalable and cost-effectively. It will also introduce a buyback fund, where a portion of Kropot’s revenue will be used to buy back KRO tokens, which will then be locked long-term, or burned.

Additionally, the project plans to introduce models where businesses and projects must hold and lock a certain amount of KRO tokens to facilitate promotions for their brands within Kropot. These initiatives will all work together to achieve Kropot’s biggest goal for 2025- achieving 3 million active users on the platform. This will help Kroma create an organic, transaction driven Web3 ecosystem.

Is Kroma a Good Investment?

Kroma is the first ZK rollup platform on Ethereum, established even before the hype of zk rollups and similar technologies started to gain traction. It is now Asia’s leading Layer2 solution, becoming the first project to implement zero-knowledge fault proofs on Ethereum. Nonetheless, we need to remember that the crypto market is extremely volatile. To avoid losses, investors are advised to research as much as possible about every project they are interested in.

Take Action on Kroma

Kroma is available for purchase from both centralized and decentralized exchanges like gate.io. Click here to view and trade your favorite pairs.

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