Why Build Universal Apps (#474)

Co-authored-by: coderabbitai[bot] <136622811+coderabbitai[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>

src/pages/developers/apps/_meta.json

@@ -2,5 +2,9 @@
   "intro": {
     "title": "Universal App Basics",
     "description": "Build universal apps that can be called from any blockchain"
+  },
+  "advantages": {
+    "title": "Why Build Universal Apps?",
+    "description": "Leverage ZetaChain's powerful chain orchestration, forward compatibility, and gasless execution for seamless cross-chain development"
   }
 }

src/pages/developers/apps/advantages.mdx

@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+ZetaChain is a platform that empowers developers to create universal
+applications capable of seamlessly interacting with any blockchain. Whether your
+application needs to operate on Ethereum, BNB Chain, Solana, TON, or even
+non-smart contract blockchains like Bitcoin, ZetaChain provides the
+infrastructure to make this possible with minimal friction. ZetaChain unifies diverse blockchain ecosystems under a single development framework,
+enabling your apps to function across all of them effortlessly.
+
+## Chain Orchestration
+
+![https://excalidraw.com/#json=H_5eUXC-4m4FnbNoPIDoC,WqRygXYCYvAmlbTTqhc3Bg](/img/docs/why-orchestration.png)
+
+One of the standout features of ZetaChain is its ability to orchestrate complex
+transactions across multiple blockchains from a single smart contract. Universal
+apps built on ZetaChain can manage incoming token transfers and contract calls
+from different blockchains and initiate outgoing transactions to connected
+networks—all within a unified framework.
+
+For example, consider an application that needs to interact with both
+Ethereum and Solana. Traditionally, this would require separate codebases
+and management of intricate communication protocols between the two chains.
+With ZetaChain, your universal app seamlessly handles these operations,
+coordinating transactions across chains without multiple contracts
+or complex interoperability solutions.
+
+This chain orchestration capability simplifies the development process, reduces
+the potential for errors, and ensures that your application can scale as it
+integrates with more blockchains.
+
+## Forward Compatibility
+
+When you deploy an app on ZetaChain, it automatically connects to all
+networks in the ZetaChain ecosystem. As new blockchains are added,
+your universal app gains compatibility with these networks without
+any additional effort or modifications to your contract's source code.
+This forward compatibility is a significant advantage, as it future-proofs your
+application. You don't have to anticipate which blockchains might become popular
+or widely adopted in the future; your app will be ready to interact with them as
+soon as they are integrated into ZetaChain. This not only saves development time
+but also ensures that your app remains relevant and accessible to users across
+different blockchain networks.
+
+This feature simplifies maintenance, as you don't need to update your contracts
+or redeploy your application whenever a new blockchain is connected. Your app
+can continue to operate smoothly, providing a consistent user experience even as
+the underlying blockchain landscape evolves.
+
+## Transfer Native Tokens
+
+![https://excalidraw.com/#json=xico4ELR7yTlLxR4kDK25,6GRqZsXB_gDM4wFvb_fSpA](/img/docs/why-custody.png)
+
+One of the core capabilities of universal apps on ZetaChain is the ability to
+transfer value using native tokens across all connected chains. This means users
+can perform transactions involving the actual native assets of each blockchain,
+rather than wrapped or synthetic versions.
+
+For example, users can send native USDC from Ethereum directly to Polygon, or
+swap native BTC from the Bitcoin network for PEPE tokens on Ethereum. This
+cross-chain token transfer functionality enhances liquidity and provides a
+seamless experience, eliminating the need for intermediaries or
+complex token wrapping mechanisms.
+
+To facilitate these transfers, universal apps have access to unified liquidity
+pools on ZetaChain. These pools aggregate liquidity from all connected chains,
+containing tokens that have been transferred to ZetaChain from their respective
+networks.
+
+Adding liquidity to these unified pools involves transferring tokens to the
+custody of ZetaChain validators on the connected chains. For instance, ZetaChain
+validators hold custody of ETH, USDC, and other tokens on Ethereum. This custody
+mechanism is secured through robust consensus protocols and validator
+incentives, ensuring the safety of the assets.
+
+This system allows users to send tokens to and from universal apps, as well as
+directly between connected chains, without the need for centralized exchanges or
+third-party bridges. It streamlines the user experience and reduces the risks
+associated with cross-chain transactions, such as double-spending or transaction
+failures.
+
+By using native tokens, users benefit from the inherent properties of those
+assets, including their security features, consensus mechanisms, and existing
+network effects. This enhances trust and reliability in cross-chain operations
+conducted through ZetaChain-powered universal apps.
+
+## Familiar Developer Experience
+
+ZetaChain runs smart contracts on its Universal Ethereum Virtual Machine (UEVM),
+which is fully compatible with Ethereum's EVM. This means developers can write
+smart contracts in Solidity or other EVM-compatible languages, leveraging their
+existing knowledge and expertise.
+
+The platform supports popular development tools like Foundry, Hardhat, Slither,
+and Ethers.js right out of the box. This compatibility allows developers to use
+familiar workflows, debugging tools, and testing frameworks, making the process
+of building universal apps more efficient and less error-prone.
+
+For instance, if you're accustomed to using Hardhat for compiling and deploying
+smart contracts on Ethereum, you can continue to use it seamlessly with
+ZetaChain. This reduces the learning curve and accelerates the development
+process, enabling you to focus on building innovative features rather than
+grappling with new tooling or languages.
+
+## Gasless EVM Execution Environment
+
+Another compelling feature of ZetaChain is its Gasless EVM Execution
+Environment. Universal apps run on ZetaChain's EVM and can be called by users
+and contracts from all connected chains. When a universal app is called from a
+connected chain, it requires gas payment only on that connected chain. Execution
+on ZetaChain does not impose any additional fees, making ZetaChain a
+cost-effective, gasless environment for deploying contracts. This significantly
+reduces expenses for end-users and enhances the accessibility of your
+applications.
+
+For end-users, the gasless execution environment means they can interact with
+your universal app without worrying about incurring high transaction fees on
+multiple chains.
+
+Traditional message-passing solutions often lack a dedicated execution
+environment, meaning every contract call requires gas payments on both ends.
+This not only increases costs but also adds layers of complexity to transaction
+handling. ZetaChain's gasless environment eliminates these hurdles, providing a
+smoother and more efficient pathway for cross-chain contract execution.
+
+## Conclusion
+
+ZetaChain provides a comprehensive solution for developing universal
+applications capable of interacting with any blockchain. Powerful chain
+orchestration, forward compatibility, native token transfers, and gasless
+execution environment significantly reduce the technical and financial barriers
+typically associated with cross-chain app development. By offering a familiar
+developer experience and ensuring seamless scalability as new blockchains are
+added, ZetaChain future-proofs applications, making them accessible, efficient,
+and ready for widespread adoption.