StarkWare, a key player in scaling Ethereum through its StarkEx technology, offers users a dynamic range of Data Availability (DA) modes tailored to their preferences. With over $750 billion in settled trading volume and 270 million transactions on Ethereum as of November 2022, StarkEx stands out in the NFT space, minting over 85 million NFTs at a fraction of the cost compared to direct Ethereum transactions. The foundation of this scalability lies in the innovative use of STARK proofs. StarkWare achieves low transaction costs while ensuring Ethereum acts as a neutral arbitrator, providing crucial security for users.

Users initiate transactions on Layer 2, either StarkEx or StarkNet, which are then batched and processed by a STARK prover. This prover generates a STARK proof, validating the new state of the ledger after transaction execution. The proof and the new state are sent to the on-chain STARK verifier, ensuring autonomous verification through an immutable smart contract on Ethereum.

While the STARK proof attests to the validity of the new state, it doesn't reveal the actual new state of the ledger. Data Availability (DA) is essential for providing this information. StarkWare offers three DA approaches, each serving distinct user needs:

1. Rollup Mode:

   • The ledger state is stored directly on Ethereum with the proofs.

   • Used by dYdX and the Public StarkNet L2 network.

   • Enables trustless interaction with Ethereum smart contracts, even if the Layer 2 system shuts down.

2. Validium:

   • Ledger information is not sent to Ethereum; instead, it's stored off-chain with a Data Availability Committee (DAC).

   • Ethereum stores a hash of the ledger information.

   • Reduces Ethereum gas costs, as only a hash is stored on-chain.

   • DAC members, including entities like Consensys and Nethermind, oversee the correct state update and keep a copy of the processed data.

   • Provides confidentiality by hiding transaction data from the blockchain.

3. Volition:

   • Offers transaction-level choice between Validium and Rollup Mode.

   • One ledger is kept on-chain, and another with a DAC.

   • Users can opt for Validium or Rollup mode for individual transactions, providing flexibility based on transaction value.

StarkWare's innovative approach to Data Availability empowers users with flexible choices for transaction security. Whether users prefer on-chain ledger storage, reduced gas costs, or confidentiality, StarkWare's Rollup, Validium, and Volition modes offer tailored solutions. This framework not only enhances user autonomy but also contributes to the broader goal of scaling Ethereum efficiently and securely. As StarkWare continues to evolve, its commitment to user-centric solutions positions it at the forefront of blockchain scalability and innovation.