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Introduction to Surge

Surge is a based rollup template built on the Taiko stack. It adopts the Stage 2 security framework and relies on Ethereum’s validators — rather than a centralized sequencer — for transaction ordering. This approach ensures robust decentralization and censorship resistance, aligning with Ethereum’s core principles and security guarantees.

What Makes Surge Unique?​

  • Maximally Ethereum-Aligned: Uses Ether (ETH) for gas and bonds, avoiding the need for an L2 governance token.
  • Aiming for Gigagas Throughput: Leverages the Nethermind Client (NMC) for high-speed performance. NMC has already demonstrated gigagas capabilities.
  • ZK Proving System: Leverages zero-knowledge proofs for trustless scaling.
  • Stage 2 Security: Adheres to rigorous security standards to protect users and funds.
  • Censorship Resistance: Transaction ordering is handled by Ethereum validators, removing centralized sequencer risk.
  • Open Source & Replicable: The infrastructure and code are fully open source, allowing the community to maintain or fork Surge at any time.
  • 45-Day Timelock: Owner multisig actions require a 45-day notice, giving users ample time to react if needed.

Goals & Non-Goals​

Goals

  • Advance the Rollup-Centric Roadmap through engineering and research
  • Preserve Ethereum’s censorship resistance
  • Enable seamless L1 and cross-rollup composability

Non-Goals

  • Capturing users & revenue
    • Surge follows a zero-users approach, focusing on agents, builders, and developers who want to explore the boundaries of Ethereum — rather than aiming for immediate mass adoption.
  • Competing directly with other rollups

A Rollup Template for the Future​

By showcasing how to remove centralized sequencer risks and eliminate L2 governance, Surge sets an example for decentralized rollup design. Its focus on high performance, open-source collaboration, and minimal overhead paves the way for a more sustainable Ethereum ecosystem:

  • For Developers: A reliable testing ground for censorship-resistant dApps.
  • For Builders: An optimized environment for fast L2 block building.
  • For Users: A rollup that stays true to Ethereum’s ethos of trustlessness and decentralization.

Getting Started​

Surge is continually evolving. By taking part in its testnet, you can experience firsthand how a truly decentralized rollup — rooted in Ethereum’s security and designed for long-term sustainability — can shape the future of Layer 2 solutions.