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Namada Weekly Dev Update: October 13, 2023

Namada
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In the weeks spanning September 25 to October 13, Namada has made substantial strides in refining its core infrastucture, enhancing security, and elevating the user experience.

A new testnet was successfully deployed on October 4, enabling IBC transfers between Namada and Cosmos. This update also featured a more user-friendly front-end faucet to help clarify the protocol's gas and fee mechanics.

On October 13, the network achieved another milestone by integrating fully functional multi-signature accounts, thus enhancing security protocols by enabling the possibility for transactions to require multiple approvals. For individuals interested in learning more, a detailed tutorial on the multi-signature accounts has been made available.

Now, for the rest of the updates:

Infrastructure Development:

  • Enhanced internal network infrastructure through proxy and monitoring improvements.
  • Addressed challenges related to Namada validators for network stability and security.
  • Coordinated with external partners for Ledger app changes and indexing.
  • Streamlined automation, build processes, and deployment pipelines.
  • Resolved challenges in setting up IBC end-to-end tests.
  • Integrated the build_network.sh script into the main codebase.
  • Completed an upgrade to the latest borsh package, enhancing data serialization.
  • Modularized the SDK by moving it into its own crate
  • Reviewed and tested SDK refactor changes.
  • Upgraded the ibc-rs library and handling breaking changes.
  • Eliminated runtime panics in Ethereum bridge SDK calls.
  • Addressed code review suggestions and optimized integration test suites.
  • Investigated improvements in the Namada-load-tester using the SDK.
  • Reviewed and adjusted Namada SDK for web interface compatibility.
  • Reintegrated the generic IO changes into the SDK refactor branch.
  • Rebasement of SDK changes onto Namada v0.23.0.

Debugging and Testing:

  • Debugged various issues, including e2e tests, self-bonding, and MASP inflation.
  • Resolved issues with integration tests, including challenges with mocked ledger tasks.
  • Fixed challenges related to merging v0.23 into the new genesis flow.
  • Addressed user interface issues within the faucet application.
  • Rectified a gas injection issue.
  • Resolved Keplr IBC issues within Cosmos->Namada transfers.
  • Conducted extensive end-to-end testing for robustness.
  • Debugged issues with the extension build in CI, particularly for Chrome.
  • Debugged IBC packet relaying and related issues.
  • Debugged validator set updates, protocol tx broadcast slowness, and slashing interactions.
  • Ran PoS overslashing testing with SM v2.
  • Investigated and fixed issues with bond_amount and high-level state-machine tests.
  • Tested the new k256 dependency as a provider of secp256k1 keys.
  • Tested the new faucet and faucet UI.
  • Validated PGF and gas fee minimum genesis params.

UX Enhancements:

  • Added the global chain dropdown feature.
  • Resolved staking page issues and refactoring.
  • Enhanced UI for displaying staking and governance results.
  • Streamlined CI benchmarks for faster development pipelines.
  • Improved the Namada interface's user experience.
  • Added a testnet status notification banner in the app.
  • Explored visual methods to represent IBC tokens in the user interface.
  • Containerized Faucet Infrastructure using Docker.
  • Explored Osmosis process for fetching IBC channel data.
  • Added gas limit and target address validation to UI.
  • Added correct parsing of response in case of API errors.

Documentation:

  • Updated documentation for Extension API usage in integration scenarios.
  • Updated IBC docs, Campfire docs, and ETH bridge specs.
  • Created video recording of using the multisig functionality.
  • Documentation related to new genesis flow and protocol parameters.

Namada would like to give special recognition to Daniel, representing the Mandragora validator team. Daniel's contributions extend far beyond initiating the first IBC connection between the Namada and Cosmos testnets. He identified a critical issue in the Heliax Hermes fork that pertained to IBC clients, leading to a much-needed fix and update on ibc-rs. His hands-on testing, constructive feedback to Namada core contributors, and dedicated troubleshooting have been invaluable to Namada's continued development.

Acknowledgment is also in order for Knowable and TuDudes, for their exemplary work on managing difficult IBC transfers between the Campfire and Namada testnets.

🔗 Previous Weekly Dev Update: September 22

🛠️ Want to Get Involved?

The developments detailed above invite a natural query: How can one become a part of Namada's journey?

🗨️ Engage on Discord

To truly comprehend the breadth and depth of the Namada ecosystem, one must engage with its vibrant community. 

🌐 Run a Full Node

Strengthen Namada's decentralized environment by becoming a node operator. Your participation in running a full node adds to the network's resiliency.

🛡️ Become a Validator

As a validator, you become a vital participant, responsible for voting on state-transitions and proposing new blocks, reinforcing the integrity and security of the Namada network.

🖥️ Set Up a Local Network

Explore Namada's architecture and possibilities by setting up a local network. Experiment, innovate, and understand.

Namada is a Proof-of-Stake Layer 1 blockchain protocol that delivers multichain, asset-agnostic privacy. Utilizing advanced zk-SNARKs technology, Namada facilitates indistinguishable transactions for various assets in its unique Multi-Asset Shielded Pool (MASP). Developed by Heliax in the Anomaecosystem, Namada is working toward a future where digital asset privacy becomes the norm, not the exception.