Monolithic vs Modular Is Not the Only Way To Think About Blockchain Scalability
Certainly, exploring alternative perspectives on scalability in web3 is crucial for advancing the field. The concept of microchains presents a distinctive approach by shifting the focus from scaling at the blockchain level to scaling at the validator level. This perspective offers a fresh lens through which to address the challenges of accommodating an ever-growing number of active users in web3 applications.
Rather than being confined to the dominant narratives revolving around “layer n” solutions or the ongoing debate between monolithic and modular blockchains, the microchains concept provides a nuanced and potentially more elegant alternative. By scaling at the validator level, this approach enables a tailored solution for web3 applications seeking to support an unlimited user base.
It is essential to recognize that scalability narratives are not definitive answers but rather tools that shape our understanding and guide problem-solving. As we explore these alternative narratives, we gain valuable insights into which infrastructure strategies are better suited for specific use cases within the dynamic web3 landscape.
Table of Contents
- The monolithic chain is dead; long live the monolithic chain
- Going layered? Going modular?
- Microchains: beyond the modular approach
- Making room for the Personal Blockchain
The monolithic chain has evolved; here’s to the renewed vitality of the monolithic chain
Presently, when inquiring about the approach to constructing a web3 application, development teams are likely to highlight the incorporation of a rollup solution or app-chain. This trend arises from the ongoing challenge faced by web3 applications that rely solely on a layer-1, engaging in a constant struggle for blockspace within the network.
This issue has historical roots, dating back to the early stages of web3 development, where the expectation was to have a “One Network to Rule them All” – a single chain meant to address all challenges. However, this monolithic perspective on scalability has proven unnecessary and, in fact, has exacerbated the difficulty for builders to provide users with fundamental features such as reasonable transaction speeds and efficient gas costs.
Consequently, both infrastructure projects and web3 application development teams have rightfully shifted their focus towards exploring alternatives to this monolithic approach, recognizing the need for more flexible and efficient solutions.
Embracing layers or opting for modularity?
As the web3 space continues to evolve, emerging projects are adopting solutions such as Layer 2s and modular chains to enhance and ensure more consistent and reliable user experiences. Recent years have witnessed significant development and investment in technologies like optimistic rollups, app-specific chains, and other layered or modular solutions.
The popularity of modular scalability is understandable. With a modular approach, Layer 1 chains like Ethereum can concentrate on scaling the essential properties of their networks, outsourcing non-essential scalability challenges to third parties. This approach creates space for a diverse ecosystem of Layer 2 solutions, departing from the traditional notion of a monolithic chain and viewing scalability as an adaptable add-on.
However, while modular chains offer clear advantages, they also bring about new challenges. These challenges range from introducing additional steps in the user journey to potential security concerns, including incomplete fraud proof implementations, software bugs in zero-knowledge proofs, and the risk of front-running by centralized entities.
Despite the benefits and challenges, the industry has been somewhat constrained in its thinking about blockchain scalability due to historical path dependency. The prevailing mindset has been shaped by mimetic acceptance of a particular approach as the starting point, driven more by historical reasons than practical or technical necessities. Importantly, this historical context does not dictate an immutable path forward, leaving room for alternative perspectives and innovative solutions in the quest for optimal blockchain scalability.
Microchains: beyond the modular approach
Let’s reconsider the challenge at hand and approach it from a fresh perspective. What if we were to step back and conceptualize an L1 that inherently scales from its inception? This involves revisiting the notion of the monolithic chain not to revert to it, but to reconceptualize the fundamental blockchain infrastructure with a more efficient mindset.
The prospect lies in scaling the main blockchain infrastructure at the validator level, particularly catering to web3 applications capable of horizontal scaling. The pivotal factor in unlocking this potential is a system where a group of honest and well-incentivized validators can concurrently run multiple, potentially infinite, lightweight chains. A comparable scenario already exists with validators utilizing their data centers to operate on various L1s.
These individual chains, referred to as microchains, can be considerably smaller in size compared to a typical L1 chain while retaining the same security assurances as any large-scale delegated proof-of-stake blockchain network. Given their shared validator set, these microchains can seamlessly exchange messages and operations among themselves, resulting in reduced latency.
Carving out space for the Personal Blockchain
Beyond scalability, the true benefits of the microchain approach manifest in an enhanced user experience. The ability to run an extensive set of parallel chains empowers each user to act as a partial node for their own chain, allowing them to generate blockspace as needed. In this framework, individual wallets take center stage, proposing their own blocks without competing for blockchain infrastructure resources.
Viewing microchains as a departure from monolithic blockchains and their layered, modular extensions, one can envision a paradigm shift towards what could be termed The Personal Blockchain. Envision a scenario where every user possesses their own chain, interacting with others’ chains and autonomously creating new blocks. This alternative emerges when we break free from the current narratives surrounding web3 scalability.
Mathieu Baudet, the founder and CEO of Linera, introduces the concept of microchains through the lens of The Personal Blockchain. His extensive experience, including a pivotal role at Meta (formerly Facebook), underscores the innovative potential of this approach. With a background in infrastructure engineering and research, Mathieu brings a unique perspective to the evolution of blockchain scalability, as demonstrated by his work on the Linera protocol. His contributions, such as the FastPay academic protocol, have laid the foundations for a future where individual users have greater control and autonomy in the blockchain space. Holding a PhD in Computer Science from École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay, Mathieu specializes in BFT consensus protocols, cryptographic protocols, and formal verification.
