Namada Weekly Dev Update, September 8

Namada
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In a continuous effort to keep the community informed, Namada is launching a new series of weekly updates around the protocol’s development. The primary focus of these updates is to shed light on the progression and enhancements of Namada's capabilities.

This week’s updates concern, primarily:

  • Launch of Public Testnet #13 based on Namada v0.22.0
  • Interoperability upgrades
  • UX enhancements
  • Updates to Namada core code

Preparation for upcoming Public Testnet #13 based on Namada v0.22.0

Public Testnet #13 Announcements

  • Testnet Rollout: Namada announced the rollout of its v0.22.0 testnet scheduled for 12th September, 2023, at 17:00 UTC. This release is tentatively  designed to resolve storage creep issues, introduce a refined gas and fee system, and ensure that transactions without adequate gas are rejected.
  • Validator Instructions: To simulate the forthcoming mainnet environment, validators are instructed to maintain sufficient funds in the faucet. Genesis participants are encouraged to submit PRs in anticipation of the testnet release. The specific chain-id will be shared as the launch approaches. New validators are advised to submit their .toml files for review by 11th September 2023.
  • Devnet “Adaman”: Namada is gearing up to make the new Devnet, named “Adaman”, public. Contributors expressing interest in offering RPC support will be approached in the near future.

Testnet and Validator Engagement:

  • Preparations in motion for the v0.22.0. testnet release.
  • Development of incentivized mechanisms to foster and reward testnet participation.
  • Active efforts to foster dialogue and gather feedback from validators from validator calls.

Interoperability updates:

Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC):

Enhancement of IBC’s operational mechanics, leveraging Hermes for smoother cross-chain transactions, ensuring compatibility between Namada and other IBC chains.

  • Tests were conducted to ensure that these transfers were achievable and registered on parent chains (namely, in this case, between Gaia and Namada instances)
  • Work was conducted to ensure that the Hermes relay mechanism functioned optimally, facilitating efficient communication between the Namada network and other interconnected blockchains.
  • Drafted an IBC article that aims to offer a deep dive into IBC’s workings and the broader potential of IBC within Namada

Ethereum Bridge:

Reworked the smart contract to optimize gas usage in all scenarios:

  • Submitting validator-set-update to Ethereum
  • Transfering tokens from Namada to Ethereum
  • Transfering tokens from Ethereum to Namada

Removed governance from Ethereum, moving it to be handled by Namada

  • Token whitelist and token caps are handled on Namada and not by the smart contract, resulting in less gas usage (please feel free to DM for more details)
  • Added token whitelists and capacity caps to Namada ( Many minor improvements on this front, all of which can be seen here ).
  • New bridge contract has been scripted and is undergoing testing.

Made significant advancements in cross-chain transaction capabilities.

  • The Ethereum tallies PR was rebased onto v0.22.0. - This rebase signifies a development in the way Namada handles smart contract interactions with Ethereum, potentially leading to more efficient storage methods for past epochs’ validator sets in the future.
  • Refined bridge-related contracts, laying groundwork for Namada-Ethereum interoperability, post intensive debugging

UX enhancements:

SDK Updates:

  • Updates to Software Development Kits (SDKs) to cater to developers' needs at or around launch
  • This included creating a changelog for the SDK, as well as updating documentation for utility to developers for subsequent releases (not 0.22.0)
  • SDK allocated to its own development folder for 0.23.0
  • Updates to the SDK workflow, switching all ‘panic’ alerts to ‘errors’ in order to improve usability for devs to identify failures

Updates to Core source code

Storage Optimization:

  • Efforts to enhance data storage methodologies were made, primarily in disaggregating merkle tree storage and replay protection into separate storage, resulting in heavily decreased storage creep.
  • Merkle trees more efficiently pruned, enhancing data structure and ensuring data integrity.
  • Efforts aimed at a balance between efficient data storage techniques and the uncompromised integrity of stored data.

Security Updates:

  • Potential issue with Multisigs addressed to be ready for release in 0.23.0
  • Issue with Ethereum bridge pool merkle tree upgraded for resilience against second pre-image attacks

Want to Get Involved?

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

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 Anoma ecosystem, Namada is working toward a future where digital asset privacy becomes the norm, not the exception.