Kroma Network

Kroma Network operates as a layer 2 blockchain solution designed to enhance the scalability of applications built on the Ethereum network. The project was launched by Lightscale, a blockchain development firm founded in 2022 by Taekyu Park (CEO) and Derek Junyoung Chang (COO). Lightscale itself is a subsidiary of Wemade, a prominent South Korean game development company, and Kroma is notably a part of the WEMIX mega-ecosystem strategy. The network's mainnet went live in September 2023.

Kroma's core business revolves around providing a high-throughput, low-cost environment for decentralized applications (dApps), with a particular focus on the Web3 gaming sector. It aims to solve Ethereum's inherent issues of network congestion and high transaction fees, which can hinder the user experience in gaming. The platform functions by bundling, or rolling up, transactions off-chain and then submitting the processed data back to the Ethereum mainnet, thereby inheriting Ethereum's security while offering significantly lower fees. Revenue generation is structured around network fees paid by users, which are then redistributed to contributors within the ecosystem, such as dApp builders and stakers of its native token, KRO.

The network employs a hybrid technical approach, currently operating as an Optimistic Rollup that uses Zero-Knowledge (ZK) fault proofs. This structure combines elements of both major rollup technologies. It uses the OP Stack, a development framework from Optimism, as its foundation but integrates a zkEVM based on technology from Scroll for its fault-proof system. The long-term vision is to transition into a full ZK Rollup once ZK proof generation becomes more efficient. This phased evolution is a key aspect of Kroma's strategy. A key piece of their technology is Tachyon, an open-source library developed by the team to accelerate ZK proof generation using GPUs.

Kroma specifically targets dApp developers and users, especially within the gaming, DeFi, and NFT ecosystems. By integrating into Optimism's Superchain, an ecosystem of interoperable chains, Kroma enhances its connectivity and ability to support cross-chain communication. This positions the network to attract a broader base of game-based dApps. The platform's native utility token, KRO, is central to its tokenomics, designed for staking, paying gas fees, and governance. In a notable development, Kroma was acquired by zkCandy on May 12, 2025. However, a subsequent announcement indicated that the Kroma project will shut down on June 30, 2025, advising users to withdraw funds before this date.

Keywords: Layer 2 blockchain, Ethereum scaling, Optimistic Rollup, ZK Rollup, zkEVM, OP Stack, Web3 gaming, Lightscale, Wemade, Taekyu Park, Derek Junyoung Chang, Superchain, decentralized applications, low transaction fees, blockchain gaming, KRO token, ZK fault proofs, Tachyon, DeFi, NFTs, EVM-equivalent, crypto gaming, blockchain infrastructure, Mainnet, zkCandy