Dymension
Key Takeaways
- Dymension is a modular blockchain designed for RollApps with two primary functions: providing a RollApp Development Kit and serving as a settlement layer for RollApps.
- Dymension has developed and deployed smart contract frameworks for EVM and CosmWasm.
- RollApps natively interact with the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol, which ensures safe message transfer between Dymension RollApps.
- Dymension has embedded a native Automated Market Maker (AMM) into the Dymension Hub to enable shared liquidity on top of shared security.
1. Overview
Dymension is a specialized modular blockchain designed for RollApps. It has two primary functions: (1) to provide a RollApp Development Kit (RDK), which is a set of generic modules that make building and deploying permission-less RollApps easy, and (2) to serve as a settlement layer for RollApps.
The platform uses Cosmos's and Celestia's technologies and is a combination of Ethereum's rollup-focused vision that prioritizes shared security and liquidity with Cosmos' vision for greater connectivity, autonomy, and SDK-based development. Dymension separates consensus onto its own chain, execution to RollApps, and data availability to DA layers.
2. Execution
Dymension has developed and deployed additional smart contract frameworks to production, each with its own license:
- EVMOS EVM: These EVM smart contracts were developed by the EVMOS team.
- Polaris EVM: These EVM smart contracts were developed by the Berachain team.
- CosmWasm: This Wasm framework was developed by Confio and Cosmos contributors.
2.1 Sequencer Decentralization
Dymension has introduced a system that allows an application to be processed by different Sequencers, known as permissioned and permission-less PoS sequencing. Since RollApps rely on the consensus of the settlement layer, the mechanism for leader election in RollApp sequencing is based on the amount of staked DYM (dYmension’s native asset) on the settlement layer. With dYmension, RollApp deployers and governance have the flexibility to make decisions on matters such as Sequencer whitelisting criteria and other requirements that they consider suitable.
3. Settlement
The Dymension Hub accepts state root updates from RollApp Sequencers optimistically, but reserves the right to revert any state transition if it is proven invalid using fraud proofs. State root updates are necessary for light client bridging and cross-chain message passing.
Although an optimistic proof system is intended, the specific details of this system are currently unknown.
4. Data Availability
In dYmension's protocol a checkpoint is defined as a block batch published to the DA layer and the corresponding state roots to the settlement layer. Having data available and incorruptible post-checkpoint is vital as corrupted data can produce a state discrepancy between RollApp nodes.
5. Interoperability
5.1 IBC and eIBC
RollApps natively interact with the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol, which ensures safe message transfer between Dymension RollApps. RollApps use the Dymension Hub as a common communication ground.
5.2 Embedded Hub AMM
Dymension has embedded a native Automated Market Maker (AMM) into the Dymension Hub to enable shared liquidity on top of shared security. This AMM is designated for RollApp facilitation and is considered essential infrastructure for RollApps. The embedded AMM is the only applicative logic on the Dymension Hub that is not restricted to RollApp usage only.
6. Use Cases
(TBA)
