Arbitrum is a comprehensive suite of Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solutions developed by Offchain Labs. It aims to improve the scalability and usability of decentralized applications (dApps) by reducing transaction costs and increasing throughput while maintaining Ethereum's security guarantees. The suite includes multiple protocols such as Arbitrum Rollup, which uses optimistic rollup technology, and Arbitrum AnyTrust, which offers further scalability with a mild trust assumption. These protocols are powered by Arbitrum Nitro, the latest node software that implements the core Rollup and AnyTrust protocols.

Developers can deploy smart contracts on Arbitrum chains like Arbitrum One (Rollup) and Arbitrum Nova (AnyTrust) to build scalable dApps compatible with Ethereum tooling. Arbitrum also supports writing EVM-compatible smart contracts in Rust via Arbitrum Stylus, expanding language options beyond Solidity. The ecosystem includes tools such as the Arbitrum SDK for client-side interactions, a public bridge for seamless token transfers between Ethereum and Arbitrum chains, and the Orbit framework for running custom Rollup and AnyTrust chains.

Arbitrum differentiates itself through its modular architecture, high performance, and broad developer support. Its Nitro upgrade significantly improves throughput and lowers costs compared to earlier versions. The platform supports a wide range of use cases from DeFi protocols and NFT platforms to DAOs and enterprise blockchain applications. With over 1 million users and active community engagement, Arbitrum is one of the leading Layer 2 solutions on Ethereum. Developers can get started quickly using detailed documentation, SDKs, tutorials, and public testnets, making it accessible for both Web2 and Web3 developers.