🚨 New @a16z thesis: building the "AI brain"
We all exist in our own context.
Is it possible to take your jumble of thoughts, history, and memories and distill it into something tangible?
How I exported my brain to AI + what I'm seeing from startups 👇
Announcing the Sonic Gateway 💥
#Sonic Gateway is a decentralized bridge between Ethereum and Sonic, eliminating all third-party and centralization risks.
With its fail-safe mechanism, the Gateway protects your assets under all circumstances.
🔗 https://t.co/zCGCvBMddj
The modular ecosystem is starting to really take shape...
> @EclipseFND has posted 6.7GB of data to Celestia & @OrderlyNetwork closing in on 15GB w/ token soon
> @0xPolygon announced AggLayer collab with @movementlabsxyz
> @initiaFDN testnet with VIP incentives finishing today, mainnet and token very soon
> @deBridgeFinance announced token claims and foundation
> @cartesiproject world tycoon voting and app development
> @Aleph__Zero EVM L2 mainnet on @gelatonetwork RaaS
> @lavanetxyz $1M token incentive pools for rpc node runners
> @SuccinctLabs SP1 zkVM in production on mainnet
> @alignedlayer announced support for 3 more proving systems
> @MantaNetwork MultiDA on testnet soon, mainnet following
> @Covalent_HQ announced token collab with @taikoxyz
> @SunriseLayer 100K+ users on testnet, wrapping up soon
> @Camp_L2 partnered with @vurse_official to onboard on Camp L2
> @zircuit token claims went live last week
> @lumioFDN live on Solana public devnet
> @0xMantle collaboration with @skate_chain for stateless apps
> @fuel_network announced Solana wallets, points program going well with $50M+ deposits
> @intentessential $11.5M in series A funding announced
> @hyperlane revealed HYPE and foundation cre announced Lemongrass upgrade
More to come later in the week.
Just minted my unique gmID - the ultimate passport to the gmWorld!
Mint yours here: https://t.co/Lnjz90pfHO
Follow @gm_dot_ai to make sure you're first in line for future mints!
$TIA stakers received $ALT airdrop.
$DYM stakers received $NIM airdrop and more to come.
The era of Modular Blockchain is on the horizon, and this is an overview of what you need to know about Modularity. 🧠
Shout out to @therollupco for this detailed ecosystem map. 🫡
1. Ethereum's scalability issue
On Ethereum, all the apps have to share the same space for their transactions, which causes problems because there's not enough room for everyone. This makes using Ethereum expensive and not very user-friendly.
This is why when lots of people wanted to trade tokens like $PEPE and $BTC, it made everything slow and even more expensive. It's a big headache because it affects everyone, even if they're using different apps. That's why solutions called rollups, like $OP, $ARB, $MNT, and others, were created.
Rollups help Ethereum handle more transactions by packing lots of them into one big transaction. This makes everything more efficient, like squishing trash down so you can fit more into the bin.
Thanks to these rollups, now most of the transactions (over 79.7%) happen on #Layer2s, not directly on the main Ethereum system, making things a lot smoother.
However, one of the critical bottlenecks in realizing the full scalability potential of L2s lies in the DA layer. Although Ethereum, as a monolithic L1, serves as a DA layer, it isn't specifically optimized for this role, especially as the dominance of L2s grows and more enters the market.
2. Data Availability
Data storage is important for a blockchain to handle more transactions because it decides how many transactions can happen. Optimism and Starket technologies have helped a bit, but the main problem is that the basic layer of the blockchain (Ethereum) isn't made to store a lot of data. This means blockchains can be slow and expensive to use, especially when lots of people want to use them at the same time, like for playing blockchain games.
EIP-4844 is set to enhance Ethereum's DA capabilities by drastically reducing DA costs, which presently constitute a major portion of the L2 overhead. However, there is growing demand towards the adoption of alt-DA layers, driven by the need for greater scalability.
→ @Celestia $TIA: Celestia is the first public network that is designed to be optimized for DA, offering a dedicated space for L2s to temporarily post batched transaction data. The Celestia DA layer consists of a PoS blockchain, and is built using the Cosmos SDK.
→ @NEARProtocol is transforming the space with its dual offerings: NEAR Fast Finality Layer & NEAR DA, promising speed and efficiency, making it a front-runner for scalable solutions.
→ @eigen_da EigenDA is a secure, high throughput, and decentralized data availability (DA) service built on top of Ethereum using the EigenLayer restaking primitive.
→ @AvailProject is DA layer that supports various execution environments such as sidechains or off-chain scaling solutions.
3. RaaS (Rollup-as-a-Service)
Lately, it's become more common for dApps to launch on their own rollups, and the reasons are clear. This is a smart move because it means they don't have to fight for space like they would on the main blockchain. They can also make changes to fit their app better.
Some of the projects that have already deployed their own app-chains include:
→ @Immutable
→ @enjin
→ @dYdX
→ @aevoxyz
But how are they able to set up their rollups so easily? Usually, it costs a lot of money. That's where Rollup-as-a-Service (RaaS) comes in.
RaaS (Rollup-as-a-Service) protocols let you create your rollups easily using special SDKs and pre-made frameworks. You just need to adjust the rollup to fit what you want. Plus, you don't have to take care of it after it's set up. See it as setting up your avatar on a game where you gotta choose its skin and features.
For example: you can make a rollup that uses $USDC for gas fees, $TIA for data availability layer, and $ETH as a settlement layer.
4. Rollups powered by RaaS
@gelatonetwork: Gelato is a zkRaaS enabling users to create zk-rollups powered by the Polygon Chain Development Kit (“CDK”). Previously, Gelato was involved in providing infra services such as smart contract automation services, gasless wallet SDK, and others.
→ @AstarNetwork
→ @sacra_fi
→ @PlenaFinance
→ @onthisxyz
→ @apecoin@alt_layer: Known for its robust and scalable rollup infrastructure, AltLayer operates on a pay-as-you-go model, similar to traditional cloud services. They offer a Shared Sequencer Set, enabling cross-chain atomic chains and a user-friendly no-code dashboard. An SDK for rollup deployment is also available.
→ @oasys_games
→ @Avive_World
→ @AsMatchApp
→ @oh_ottie_
→ Restaked Rollups: @ether_fi@renzoai@KelpDAO@rio@conduitxyz: Conduit has been a notable early participant in the RaaS space, initially focusing on launching OP Stack rollups and recently announcing support for Arbitrum Orbit.
→ @ourZORA
→ @aevoxyz
→ @modenetwork
→ @Ancient8_gg@dymension: Dymension introduces RollApps - modular rollups on the Cosmos network. The Dymension Hub, which acts as the consensus layer, is the base layer allowing anyone to deploy RollApps (L2s) on top of it.
→ @nim_network
→ @Rivalz_AI
Going forward, it’s also likely that more rollapps will airdrop tokens to $DYM $ALT stakers, as it happens with $ATOM and $TIA.
Keep an eye on @AvailProject@EclipseFND@initiaFDN ecosystem!
Project Spotlight - Week 11/2024
> This week, we will showcase the following projects:
→ @Entanglefi
→ @cedro_finance
→ @SX_Network
→ @Architex_ai
→ @rollchains
→ @MassaLabs
→ @TunaChain
→ @RedbellyNetwork
→ @vooi_io
→ @Spectral_Labs
→ @Aggregata_xyz
→ @DropsERC
→ @nim_network
→ @bouncebit
→ @enq_AI
→ @devolvedai
> Below you will find brief summaries for each.
Let's dive in! 📖
— One Pager
— Entangle
→ Entangle Finance is a project designed to improve liquidity in DeFi.
→ It operates as a layer 1 solution, utilizing the @cosmos SDK. As a liquidity sub-layer, it connects both EVM and non-EVM blockchain endpoints.
→ TGE on March 13th, 2024
>>>>
— Cedro Finance
→ Cedro Finance is a cross-chain decentralized liquidity protocol where users can lend and borrow listed assets across multiple chains in an overcollateralized manner.
→ Mainnet launch soon (TBA)
>>>>
— SX Network
→ SX Network is aiming to disrupt the $200 billion sports betting industry.
→ Its flagship product @SX_Bet is a peer-to-peer web3 betting exchange, where users can offer and take bets, differentiating it from traditional sportsbooks.
→ SX suites is developed using its own blockchain, the SX Network.
>>>>
— Architex
→ Architex AI is a mining layer that focuses on Proof-of-Work (POW) blockchains and AI networks.
→ They offer decentralized ASIC & GPU hardware infrastructure for networks like Bitcoin, Bittensor/ $TAO, and @MorpheusAIs
>>>>
— Rollchains
→ Rollchains is a technology that allows any Cosmos Layer 1 (L1) blockchain to send its data to @CelestiaOrg
→ This integration enables Cosmos L1 blockchains to achieve modularity, expanding their capabilities and interoperability.
→ @stride_zone will be the first protocol that become will utilize Rollchains
>>>>
— Massa Labs
→ Massa is a layer-1 blockchain that uses parallel block architecture, transaction sharding, and unique autonomous smart contracts to address the blockchain trilemma.
→ Massa stated that they can achieve over 10,000 transactions per second with thousands of nodes.
>>>>
— Tunachain
→ TunaChain is a modular L2 solution for Bitcoin that integrates with Ethereum, combining Bitcoin's security with Ethereum's versatility.
→ It introduces innovations like a Native Stablecoin, a Modular DA Layer, and seamless integration with ZK-OP and Ethereum's EVM
>>>>
— Redbelly
→ Redbelly Network is a layer 1 blockchain designed for compliant asset tokenization. It is open, fast, scalable, and accountable, specifically tailored for regulated assets.
→ It aims to simplify and secure the tokenization process for founders and asset owners, providing a solution for high-value real-world assets in regulated markets
>>>>
— Vooi
→ Vooi is a stablecoin DEX designed for Layer 2 (L2) networks, offering users the ability to swap stablecoins with minimal slippage.
→ It aims to provide better yields through single-token staking and offers a user-friendly experience for swapping stablecoins on various L2 networks.
>>>>
— Spectral
→ Spectral Labs dedicated to the Agent Economy of Web3. It enables agents to interact with blockchain infrastructure, facilitating the autonomous generation of code.
→ Spectral aims to facilitate a decentralized network for creating, verifying, and utilizing AI-generated content.
→ They have been working on implementing zkML (zero-knowledge machine learning) for decentralized machine learning oracle
>>>>
— Aggregata
→ Aggregata offers a decentralized storage and data aggregation platform for AI, powered by @BNBCHAIN Greenfield. It ensures users have complete ownership of their data.
>>>>
— Drops
→ Drops introduces a decentralized marketplace for trading locked liquidity in DeFi, aiming to enhance DeFi capital circulation and benefit liquidity sellers, buyers, and $DROPS Token holders.
>>>>
— Nim Network
→ The NIM RollApp introduces a blockchain-powered gaming experience on @dymension , focusing on AI agents, advanced crypto infrastructure, and Web3 gaming innovations.
→ NIM will be the first RollApp powered by Dymension with Celestia DA technology underneath and based on EVM.
>>>>
— Bouncebit
→ BounceBit is a Bitcoin restaking protocol that allows users to earn yield on their idle Bitcoin.
→ It operates as a native $BTC restaking chain, providing the basic security of Bitcoin while enabling users to earn rewards
>>>>
— EnqAI
→ EnqAI is a cryptocurrency that focuses on decentralized, cutting-edge generative artificial intelligence (AI) without censorship.
→ The enqAI ecosystem ranges from a blockchain settlement layer, a network of GPU rigs running models to a dedicated application layer.
>>>>
— Devolved AI
→ Devolved AI champions a democratic AI landscape with its Proof of Value protocol, user-centric blockchain, decentralized governance, and plans for expanding into computer vision and predictive analytics.
→ Recently announced partnered with @KIPprotocol to accelerate democratization of access to decentralized AI
>>>>
— Disclaimer
The information provided in this post is not intended as professional financial or tax advice, and we strongly recommend conducting your own research and consulting with a qualified advisor before making any financial or tax-related decisions.
>>>>
Tagged alpha spotters and DeFi fellow that might interested in:
> @blocmates
> @wacy_time1
> @Shoalresearch
> @tombheads
> @arndxt_xo
> @ahboyash
> @2lambro
> @rektdiomedes
> @andyyy
> @hooeem
> @CryptoGideon_
> @crypto_linn
> @CryptoShiro_
> @0xFitz
Welcome to Modular March 🧱 ✨
We curated a special group of builders from the modular ecosystem for a month of interactive education.
Go here to join:
https://t.co/Mg33qMhRJR
Heh so $KEP is finally live, and we can finally do some fancy DeFi footwork with this 😏
With @pendle_fi, all the $KEP owners can basically get MORE points, for free.
Here's how 👇🏻