zkSync is a layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum, designed to improve the scalability and efficiency of the Ethereum blockchain. Keep in mind that developments may have occurred since then, and it's a good idea to check for the latest information.

Here are some reasons why zkSync was considered advantageous:

Scalability: zkSync employs zkRollup technology, a type of layer-2 scaling solution that allows off-chain computation and verification while still relying on the security of the Ethereum mainnet. This helps in significantly increasing the transaction throughput and reducing congestion on the Ethereum network.

Reduced Transaction Costs: By moving transactions off-chain, zkSync aims to reduce transaction costs associated with interacting with the Ethereum network. Users can perform transactions and smart contract interactions at a lower cost compared to using the Ethereum mainnet directly.

Fast Confirmation Times: zkSync provides faster confirmation times for transactions compared to the Ethereum mainnet. This is because zkRollup transactions are settled off-chain, and only the essential information is submitted to the Ethereum mainnet, resulting in quicker finality.

Decentralization and Security: zkSync maintains a strong connection to the Ethereum mainnet, benefiting from its security while still providing off-chain scalability. This dual-layer approach ensures that zkSync transactions are secure and decentralized.

Compatibility with Ethereum Ecosystem: Developers can build on zkSync with tools, languages, and frameworks that are already familiar within the Ethereum ecosystem. This makes it easier for existing Ethereum projects to integrate zkSync for improved scalability.

User Experience: zkSync aims to provide a seamless and user-friendly experience, allowing users to benefit from the advantages of layer-2 scaling without significant changes to their usual Ethereum interactions.

Ethereum and Cardano are both prominent blockchain platforms in the cryptocurrency space, but they have different design philosophies, features, and stages of development. Here's a comparison of Ethereum and Cardano across various key aspects:

Technology and Consensus Mechanism:

Ethereum: Ethereum currently uses a Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, known as Ethereum 2.0, which is being gradually rolled out. It initially used Proof of Work (PoW).Cardano: Cardano uses a unique PoS consensus mechanism called Ouroboros, which is designed to be highly energy-efficient.

Smart Contracts:

Ethereum: Ethereum was the first blockchain to introduce smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). It has a well-established ecosystem of dApps and DeFi projects.Cardano: Cardano also supports smart contracts, but the rollout of this feature took some time. It aims to provide secure and reliable smart contract functionality.

Ecosystem and Adoption:

Ethereum: Ethereum has a mature and thriving ecosystem with a wide range of projects, tokens, and dApps. It has high adoption in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).Cardano: Cardano's ecosystem is growing, but it's still in the process of building and expanding its network of projects and dApps.

Scalability:

Ethereum: Ethereum has faced scalability issues due to high gas fees and network congestion. Ethereum 2.0 aims to address these concerns with sharding and other improvements.Cardano: Cardano has incorporated scalability solutions from the beginning and aims to offer a more scalable platform.

Governance and Development:

Ethereum: Ethereum's development is managed by the Ethereum Foundation and various independent teams. It has a history of contentious upgrades and forks.Cardano: Cardano's development is guided by IOHK, Emurgo, and the Cardano Foundation, and it follows a formalized, research-driven development process.

Interoperability:

Ethereum: Ethereum is working on solutions to improve interoperability with other blockchains and networks.Cardano: Cardano is designed with a strong focus on interoperability, aiming to facilitate connections with various blockchain networks.

Philosophy and Approach:

Ethereum: Ethereum has a more experimental and rapidly evolving approach, which has led to growing pains but also innovation.Cardano: Cardano takes a more academically rigorous and methodical approach to development, emphasizing peer-reviewed research.

In summary, Ethereum is more established with a larger ecosystem and a head start in terms of adoption, but it faces scalability and gas fee challenges. Cardano is known for its scientific approach and energy efficiency but is still in the process of expanding its ecosystem. The choice between the two largely depends on your specific use case and priorities. Both platforms have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the evolving landscape of blockchain technology continues to shape their futures.

In the digital realm where dreams take flight, A blockchain innovation shines so bright, Ethereum, a name that sparks the fire, A world of possibilities, we all admire.

With smart contracts as its beating heart, Decentralized power, a brand new start, Immutable ledger, transparency's embrace, Ethereum's magic in this digital space.

Its founder, a visionary named Vitalik, A decentralized future, he did seek, In 2015, this platform did arise, A world of dApps, under open skies.

Tokens and NFTs, they now reside, In Ethereum's ecosystem, side by side, A digital canvas for creativity to flow, Where artists and creators let their talents grow.

But beyond tokens and the digital art, Ethereum's impact is just the start, It's changing finance, and industry too, Empowering people with something new.

So as we journey through this crypto sea, Ethereum's promise, we can all see, A world of innovation, a future bright, In the realm of Ethereum's blockchain light.

More on Smart Contracts:

Smart contracts are self-executing computer programs that run on a blockchain. They're called "smart" because they can automatically enforce and execute the terms of an agreement without the need for intermediaries like banks, lawyers, or notaries.

Think of a smart contract like a digital agreement or contract that you might have in the real world, but it's written in code. These contracts are stored on a blockchain, which is a decentralized and secure digital ledger. When certain conditions in the contract are met, the code executes the agreed-upon actions.

For example, imagine a rental agreement for an apartment. In a traditional contract, you might rely on a landlord and a tenant, as well as a legal system to ensure that rent gets paid. With a smart contract, the terms of the rental agreement are written in code on the blockchain. When the due date arrives, the contract can automatically transfer the rent payment from the tenant to the landlord without the need for a third party. It's all automated, transparent, and tamper-proof.

Smart contracts have applications in a wide range of fields, from finance and insurance to supply chain management and more. They help to reduce the need for trust in intermediaries and can streamline processes, making them more efficient and secure.