Neon EVM developers have adopted the “Network Extensions” category on Solana, to classify their innovative project in the blockchain ecosystem.
In a recent blog post, Neon EVM developers explained how their project, which is facilitating the integration of Ethereum developers into the Solana ecosystem, has been facing difficulties in ranking within the blockchain ecosystem.
The developers made an extensive explanation as to why Neon EVM cannot be called a Layer 1 network, since it does not have its own consensus mechanism, like Ethereum or Solana. It cannot be called a typical Layer 2 network either., as it does not process transactions off-chain. Instead, this protocol allows developers to deploy decentralized applications, or Ethereum DApps, on the Solana blockchain, leveraging the network’s core base layer capabilities.
Due to the difficulty that Neon EVM has encountered in being classified into a clear product category, its developers have made the decision to adopt the “Network Extensions” category, a concept recently described by Austin Federa, head of strategy at the Solana Foundation.
The project developers they said that adopting this classification allows Neon EVM to position itself more effectively within the blockchain ecosystem, facilitating the interaction between Ethereum developers and the unique capabilities of the Solana network.
Why Neon EVM adopts Network Extensions classification?
Neon EVM’s adoption of the term “network extensions” responds to the need to create a framework that defines projects that, although innovative, do not easily fit into the traditional categories existing in the blockchain ecosystem.
According to Federa, network extensions are specialized modules that add specific features or extend Solana’s capabilities, including execution, settlement, consensus, and data availability layers. As such, this definition aligns perfectly with the vision of Neon EVM, which seeks to integrate Ethereum developers into the Solana ecosystem more seamlessly.
“Network extensions extend the Solana network to new places, or bring new execution environments, specialized processing, etc. to the Solana network”, Federa explained in September.
The Neon EVM developers adopted this categorization, which, while still in development, captures the essence of their project, providing clarity to developers and facilitating a more cohesive experience for all ecosystem participants.
Powering the Solana ecosystem for Ethereum developers
The Neon EVM developers have chosen to adopt the concept of Network Extensions due to several strategic reasons. Firstly, this classification allows them to highlighting its focus on integration and collaboration within the Solana ecosystemAs more projects emerge on the network, it is essential that Neon EVM clearly positions itself as a facilitator of interactions between the Ethereum and Solana ecosystems.
Furthermore, the adoption of this category addresses the need to attract a larger user and developer base. By defining itself as a network extension, Neon EVM can provide greater clarity that will be attractive to investors and users alike.
What is Neon EVM?
Neon EVM is a solution designed to bring the functionality of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) to the Solana ecosystem. Its main goal is to enable developers to deploy Ethereum-compatible applications on Solana, taking advantage of the advantages of this network, such as fast transactions and low costs. By facilitating this integration, Neon EVM seeks to: Unlocking Solana's potential for projects that have traditionally been anchored to Ethereum.
One of the key benefits of the Neon EVM is its ability to simplify the onboarding process for EVM developers. This means that Ethereum-based projects can access Solana’s liquidity and growing user base without having to make significant changes to their code. This ease of use is critical to fostering adoption and growth within the Solana ecosystem.
Additionally, Neon EVM allows developers to natively interact with Solana programs. This translates into greater flexibility and the ability to build more complex applications that take advantage of the network’s unique features. For example, EVM smart contracts deployed on Neon can call Solana programs, expanding the possibilities for use and improving the user experience.
In short, Neon EVM not only seeks to facilitate the integration of Ethereum into Solana, but also aims to be a catalyst for innovation in the blockchain ecosystem. By adopting the category of Network Extensions, Neon EVM positions itself as a key player in the evolution of Solana, offering developers a robust and accessible platform to deploy their applications.
Main image by Neon EVM
