Blockchain as a Database (Part 1) 275 implied HN points • 11 Jun 23 🕹 Technology Blockchain Governance Database Cryptocurrency A blockchain serves the purpose of allowing users to compute a copy of the same database with confidence. For worldwide agreement on a blockchain, a consensus protocol is needed to enable all parties to agree on new data blocks. Implementing rules for parsing data blobs on blockchains requires operational enforcement and governance to ensure consistency and security.
Bridging Databases (Part 2) 196 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23 🕹 Technology Blockchain Cryptocurrency Smart Contracts Blockchain is essentially a data structure to order data Bridges facilitate communication between databases by passing messages Validating bridges aim to not only validate decisions but also the content of the decision made by a consensus protocol
SHARP? SuperChain? Layer-3s? Temporary Rollups? AHHHHHH 255 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23 🔮 Crypto Blockchain Ethereum Rollups Rollups on Ethereum help scale for mass adoption by utilizing trusted third parties like the bridge smart contract. Deploying off-chain systems on top of rollups can offer cost-effective execution and access to shared infrastructure. Projects deploying off-chain systems can choose between re-using the rollup's executors or appointing independent executors based on their needs.
What Does It Mean to Decentralise a Rollup? 235 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23 🔮 Crypto Blockchain Decentralization Rollups Smart Contracts Trust Decentralization in rollups is about prioritizing one honest party over a majority of validators. Rollups use a trusted third party like a smart contract instead of an honest majority to determine truth. The goal of decentralization in rollups is to empower one honest party to make decisions for the entire system in critical moments.
Why Did I Join the Arbitrum Foundation? 235 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23 🔮 Crypto Blockchain Ethereum Scalability Cryptocurrency Joined Arbitrum Foundation to work on scaling Ethereum with rollup technology. Spent years in the crypto field focusing on off-chain scalability. Arbitrum solved a major problem for off-chain scalability by addressing database and synchrony issues.
Settlement Layers? Ethereum Rollups? Sovereign Rollups? 137 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23 🔮 Crypto Blockchain Ethereum Bitcoin Security Blockchain scalability is being pursued through a modular and layered approach. Bitcoin and Ethereum have different capabilities regarding settlement layers. Sovereign rollups can be seen as a new type of settlement layer, allowing different parties to protect system integrity.
Where Is the One Honest Party for a Rollup? 78 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23 🔮 Crypto Blockchain Security Execution Research Sequencers are optional in a rollup, with users being able to bypass them if needed. One honest executor is crucial in ensuring the liveness and safety of a rollup. Future directions in rollup design involve defining appointment protocols for executors and exploring ways to distribute workload among them.
Tiers of Transaction Finality for Rollups 58 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23 🔮 Crypto Blockchain Rollups Transactions Execution Cryptocurrency In rollup transactions, finality occurs in three stages: Sequencer's Promise, Order Finality, and Execution Settlement. The Sequencer promises correct transaction execution, the bridge determines final transaction order, and Executors verify and enforce execution. Separating transaction ordering from execution allows for quick order finality and potential delays in execution settlement in rollup transactions.
Deconstructing Rollups 58 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23 🔮 Crypto Rollups Security Assets Developers Development community is focused on defining a rollup through the lens of a validating bridge. Care must be taken with rollup projects to avoid constraining their capabilities, like Optimism's experience with OVM V1.0. Rollups should prioritize building rules enforced by a community first, and then focus on a validating bridge.