NOW Wallet’s Comprehensive Guide to Polygon's zkEVM: Revolutionizing Scalability and Privacy

Introduction

Over the last decade, we’ve seen the landscape of blockchain technology grow and evolve. One of the most exciting developments in recent years is Polygon, a protocol and framework for building and connecting Ethereum-compatible blockchain networks. With its fast transaction speeds, low fees, and a growing network of partnerships, Polygon has been driving the increasing demand for decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts.

One of Polygon's most innovative offerings is the upcoming zkEVM, which promises to revolutionize the way we think about scalability and privacy in the blockchain space. This comprehensive guide will provide an overview of Polygon and its significance, dive into the specifics of zkEVM, and offer two guides on using NOW Wallet for various use cases: as a user-friendly Polygon wallet for managing your MATIC – as well as Polygon tokens – and for connecting to Polygon dApps.

I. Polygon: An Overview

Polygon, formerly known as the Matic Network, is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum that aims to provide faster and cheaper transactions on the Ethereum blockchain. As a multi-chain scaling solution, it offers a range of blockchain networks that are compatible with Ethereum, allowing developers to build and deploy dApps with ease. The core components of Polygon include the Ethereum-compatible Polygon SDK, a modular framework for building and connecting blockchain networks, and the Polygon PoS Chain, a proof-of-stake blockchain that serves as a commit chain to the Ethereum network.

Some of the key features that have made Polygon a popular choice among developers and users alike are its fast transaction speeds, low fees, and high throughput. These capabilities have led to a growing ecosystem of dApps and partnerships, including a recent strategic alliance with Immutable for Web3 gaming, which will utilize Polygon's zkEVM.

II. zkEVM: A Game Changer for Scalability and Privacy

The zkEVM, or Zero-Knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine, is an upcoming addition to Polygon's technology stack that aims to combine the scalability benefits of zero-knowledge proofs with the compatibility of the Ethereum Virtual Machine. In essence, zkEVM enables developers to build privacy-preserving dApps and smart contracts on the Polygon network, with the added benefits of improved scalability and security.

Zero-knowledge proofs are cryptographic techniques that allow one party to prove to another that they possess certain information without revealing the information itself. By incorporating these techniques into the Ethereum Virtual Machine, zkEVM ensures that sensitive data remains private while still allowing for the execution of smart contracts.

The introduction of zkEVM has several key advantages, including:

1. Enhanced Privacy: Zero-knowledge proofs offer privacy by design, enabling developers to build dApps and smart contracts that preserve user privacy without sacrificing functionality.
2. Increased Scalability: By compressing transactions and offloading computation from the main chain, zkEVM significantly improves the scalability of the Polygon network, allowing for more transactions per second and lower fees.
3. Greater Flexibility: As it is compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine, zkEVM allows developers to leverage existing tools and programming languages, making it easy to build and deploy dApps on the Polygon network.

III. NOW Wallet: Your Gateway to the Polygon Ecosystem

NOW Wallet is a mobile cryptocurrency wallet designed to provide a seamless user experience for storing, buying, swapping, and connecting with MATIC tokens and Polygon dApps. In this section, we will guide you through two use cases for NOW Wallet: storing, buying, and swapping MATIC tokens, and connecting to Polygon dApps.

Store, Buy, and Swap MATIC and Polygon Tokens

To store, buy, and swap MATIC and other Polygon tokens using NOW Wallet, follow these steps:

1. Open the NOW Wallet app on your smartphone.
2. Select ‘MATIC (Polygon)’ from the list of supported cryptocurrencies or press on the “+” symbol if you’re yet to create a MATIC wallet.

3. From this screen, you can view your MATIC balance, as well as buy or exchange MATIC tokens. To buy MATIC, simply tap on the 'Buy' button and follow the prompts to complete your purchase using your preferred payment method.

4. To swap MATIC or other Polygon tokens for other cryptocurrencies or vice versa, tap on the 'Exchange' button. You will then be able to select the token you want to exchange and the token you want to receive. Input the amount you wish to swap and confirm the transaction to complete the exchange.

Connect to Polygon dApps

Connecting your NOW Wallet to Polygon dApps is a straightforward process, enabling you to interact with various decentralized applications built on the Polygon network. Here's how:

1. Open the website of the Polygon dApp you want to connect to using your smartphone or tablet.
2. Look for the 'Connect Wallet' button on the dApp's homepage and tap on it.
3. A list of supported wallet providers will be displayed. Select 'WalletConnect' from the list.
4. A QR code will be generated on the dApp's website. To scan the code, open your NOW Wallet app, and tap on the QR code symbol. Point your device's camera at the QR code displayed on the dApp's website to initiate the connection.

5. Your NOW Wallet will prompt you to confirm the connection. Tap 'Confirm' to establish a secure link between your wallet and the dApp.

6. Once connected, you can interact with the dApp using your NOW Wallet's stored MATIC tokens and other Polygon tokens. Follow the dApp's instructions to perform various tasks, such as staking, participating in governance, or using other features specific to the dApp.

Conclusion

Polygon's zkEVM is poised to reshape the landscape of blockchain technology, offering enhanced scalability, privacy, and a seamless user experience. As the Polygon ecosystem continues to grow, the introduction of zkEVM will further cement its position as a leading Layer-2 scaling solution, attracting more developers and users to the platform.

With this comprehensive guide, you are now well-equipped to navigate the world of Polygon, zkEVM, and NOW Wallet. By leveraging these powerful tools, you can take full advantage of the benefits of decentralized applications and smart contracts, while enjoying the improved privacy and scalability provided by Polygon's zkEVM technology.