What Is Linea (LINEA) and How Does it Work?

What Is Linea?

Linea is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum that leverages zero-knowledge rollup (zk-rollup) technology to enable faster and cheaper transactions. By processing transactions off-chain and submitting cryptographic proofs to Ethereum, Linea helps alleviate network congestion while maintaining the security and decentralization of the Ethereum mainnet.

A key feature of Linea is its Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) equivalence, which allows developers to seamlessly port existing Ethereum smart contracts to Linea with little to no modification. This stands in contrast to merely EVM-compatible networks, which often require adjustments for full functionality.

Linea is developed by Consensys, the team behind widely-used Web3 tools such as the MetaMask wallet and Infura infrastructure service. The network is integrated into MetaMask by default via an Infura RPC endpoint, offering users smooth and immediate access.

How Does Linea Work?

Zk-Rollups

Linea uses zk-rollups to bundle and process transactions off-chain. These batches are periodically committed to Ethereum along with a validity proof—a cryptographic attestation that all transactions in the batch are correct, without revealing their details.

Linea employs a type of zero-knowledge proof known as zk-SNARK (Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge). This method allows the network to prove the validity of transactions in a compact and verifiable manner, without interaction between prover and verifier.

Thanks to the efficiency of zk-SNARKs, Linea is able to offer users lower transaction fees and higher throughput than the Ethereum mainnet, all while inheriting Ethereum’s robust security model. This also differentiates it from optimistic rollups, which rely on fraud proofs and involve longer withdrawal delays.

Linea’s Architecture

Sequencer

The sequencer is responsible for ordering transactions. It collects transactions from the mempool, groups them into blocks, executes them, and produces execution traces. It also compresses transaction data to minimize the cost of storing information on Ethereum.

Prover

The prover generates a zk-SNARK proof based on the execution traces provided by the sequencer. This proof cryptographically attests to the correctness of an entire block of transactions, allowing Ethereum validators to verify the batch quickly without reprocessing each transaction.

Bridge Relayer

The bridge relayer facilitates communication between Linea and Ethereum, as well as other blockchains. It works with Linea’s canonical message service—a set of smart contracts that enable secure transfer of assets and data across chains. Over time, Linea aims to decentralize this component to enhance network security and trustlessness.

How Transactions Work on Linea

1. Submission: A user signs a transaction in their wallet, which is then sent to Linea and placed in the mempool.
2. Block Building: The sequencer validates, orders, and executes transactions, grouping them into a block.
3. State Update: The transaction is confirmed on Linea with soft finality—meaning it is considered valid on L2 but not yet settled on Ethereum.
4. Conflation: Multiple blocks are bundled into a batch to optimize proof generation and reduce costs.
5. Proof Generation: A zk-SNARK proof is generated for the entire batch, verifying all transactions without exposing their content.
6. Finalization: The proof and batch data are submitted to Ethereum. Once verified, transactions achieve hard finality and are permanently recorded.

Linea Token

The LINEA token is the native asset of the Linea ecosystem. Unlike many Layer 2 solutions, gas fees on Linea are paid in ETH. The LINEA token is not used for governance and has no preferential allocations for team members or investors. Instead, it is distributed directly to users and developers through rewards and ecosystem incentives.

Linea also incorporates a dual-burn mechanism:

• 20% of net ETH profits are used to burn ETH
• 80% are used to burn LINEA

This approach ties network activity directly to token scarcity, benefiting both Linea and Ethereum ecosystems.

Conclusion

Linea offers a scalable, secure, and user-friendly Layer 2 solution that remains deeply aligned with Ethereum’s principles. Its use of zk-rollups and EVM equivalence allows developers to build without friction, while users benefit from low costs and high speeds. By utilizing ETH for gas and implementing a dual-burn mechanism, Linea strengthens the broader Ethereum economy and encourages sustainable growth.

Further Reading

• What Is Dogecoin and How Does It Work?
• What Is Ethereum and How Does It Work?
• What Is Solana and How Does It Work?

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are for informational purposes only. This article does not constitute an endorsement of any of the products and services discussed or investment, financial, or trading advice. Qualified professionals should be consulted prior to making financial decisions.