R2 is an open-source JavaScript runtime environment developed by Cloudflare, designed to provide a lightweight and secure alternative to Node.js for building fast and scalable serverless applications. As a rising contender in the serverless computing landscape, R2 is gaining attention from developers and tech enthusiasts looking for improved performance, security, and compatibility with edge computing platforms, making it a relevant topic for discussion among tech professionals and those interested in the future of serverless architecture.