Abstract: This blog presents a fully documented framework for DeFi solutions, such as “Automated Market Makers” (AMMs), on a highly scalable blockchain like the Partisia Blockchain. The framework guarantees fixed prices across independent liquidity pools and effectively addresses front-running with MPC.
Financial inclusion is at the heart of the original narrative that formed the beginning of blockchain and later Decentralized Finance (DeFi). The global financial crisis in and around 2008 revealed several weaknesses in traditional financial systems. The global financial crisis was part of the motivation behind the Bitcoin protocol creation. Although the challenges behind the global financial crisis were more significant than what immutable money could fix, it initiated and accelerated innovations that improved traditional finance and pushed to new horizons.
The very same crisis inspired the origin of Partisia. However, innovation was a different type of decentralized cryptography that was also designed to remove intermediates, which manage private information, such as sealed bids in financial markets. The initial work by Partisia was the world’s first Decentralized Exchange (DEX) with sealed bidding which went into commercial use in 2008.
The Partisia Blockchain established in 2020, is a combination and extension of these two narratives and provides a powerful encrypted computation network and tool set to continue fixing weaknesses in both Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and Centralized Finance (CeFi), as exemplified by the solution described in this blog.
DeFi is an important part of Web 3.0 and provides solutions that may most likely drive and enhance financial inclusion. This blog focuses on so-called Automated Market Makers (AMM) as a simple and decentralized way to exchange crypto assets. The core innovation behind AMMs is to conduct trading without direct interaction and matching of buyers or sellers of crypto assets. This significantly reduces the complexity of the market solution. Since the entire AMM solution is a set of smart contracts, the security model was also significantly improved as a genuinely decentralized trading platform.
Ethereum has been the most used blockchain platform for AMM solutions. And token bridges–as well as second layer blockchains–have broadened the uptake to other blockchain networks. Recent developments take this development one step further and run AMMs across independent blockchain platforms, i.e. cross-chain DeFi. This poses a set of new obstacles, such as the challenge of representing states (data and tokens) across independent blockchain platforms.
Another challenge preventing a simple copy-paste of the Ethereum model to sharded or cross-chain blockchains is the economics instilled into the Ethereum execution model. This is primarily the arbitrage opportunity coming from the “all or nothing” execution (atomic execution), as well as the sequential use of the entire AMM solution (one user at a time). With Uniswap (one of the most applied AMMs) for example, a user can swap asset A to asset B, and then swap asset B to asset C, and then potentially swap asset C back to asset A without other users interfering. Sometimes this set of swaps returns profit to the user. This type of arbitrage essentially for free since the public ledger allows anyone to constantly monitor the AMM solution. This is, however, only feasible due to the atomic execution and sequential use of the AMM solution, and cannot be transferred to a sharded blockchain or to cross-chain AMM solutions without additional economic mechanisms.
The Partisia Blockchain team has jointly worked with researchers specializing in AMMs and economic mechanism design. And together developed a mechanism which guarantees fixed prices as well as the “multi-swap” arbitrage opportunities described above. The key component is a “lock-swap” mechanism that guarantees a user fixed prices for a given swap. The mechanism only locks the actual requested trade and allows other users to use all liquidity pools without the non-scalable sequential use of the entire AMM solution as we know it from Ethereum.
The mechanism essentially works as follows: every pool keeps track of two pools, the “actual liquidity pool”, and a “virtual liquidity pool”. The actual liquidity pool keeps track of all the instant swaps, i.e. those that are actually executed. The virtual pool keeps track of the lock swaps, since such swaps might be canceled later on. Hence, by submitting a lock-swap the user secures fixed prices by the lock-swap function, which only affects the virtual liquidity pool. For any user after the lock-swap, the protocol ensures the smallest amount of assets across the actual liquidity pool and the virtual liquidity pool. Hereby, the mechanism favors first movers that fixed prices using the lock-swap function. Unlike the Ethereum sequential use, the lock-swap minimizes the impact on the entire AMM solution so assets can be exchanged in parallel and across independent blockchains and shards. And also in liquidity pools with one or more lock-swaps. Read more about the mechanism here.
In other words, the mechanism ensures the liquidity managed by the AMM solution is put to maximal use in two ways:
The mechanism is designed to fully utilize sharding where transactions are automatically off-loaded across different shards in an ideal way that favors unlimited parallelization, i.e. asynchronous and concurrent execution. This type of sharding is native to the Partisia Blockchain and will be instrumental in ensuring unlimited parallelization needed to match the demand as decentralization flourish. Read more about the sharding model here.
Finally, note that since cross-chain AMMs are similar in nature, the proposed mechanism also supports use of liquidity pools operated on completely separated blockchains.
Another challenge and obstacle for a broad uptake of AMM solutions within and beyond the blockchain ecosystem is front-running. On Ethereum and similar blockchain platforms, the AMM transactions are transparent to all, but added to the blockchain consensus model by one or more actors, such as “mempool operators” or “block producers”. The problem is that these actors can delay and place their own AMM valuable transaction, i.e. front-running.
Front-running is a critical problem that needs to be solved for the sake of the users, but also a problem that is critical for the DeFi narrative as a “single point of trust” failure. Fortunately, the advanced encrypted computation that is built-in to Partisia Blockchain provides a decentralized solution, which points back to the original work by Partisia and the first commercial use of MultiParty Computation (MPC) for safeguarding sealed bids.
However, as a big contrast to the first commercial use of MPC, Partisia Blockchain provides a simple interface that allows any developers (without cryptographic skills) to script the required computation and leave it to the network to compile and run the encrypted computations. The concrete solution is an encrypted computation which keeps the actual swap secret until it is fully executed. Hereby, the arbitrage opportunity from frontrunning is effectively addressed.
Ensuring that DeFi solutions comply with the jurisdictional regulation is, of course, an obligation for any DeFi service provider. It may also soon be a competitive advantage and a requirement for expanding the use of DeFi solutions outside of blockchain.
While financial fraud regulations, such as KYC and AML, are obvious, matters that are addressed in this blog may become essential regulatory requirements as well:
Although future regulatory requirements are unknown, building a blockchain network that is sufficiently flexible to quickly adjust to regulatory requirements may be crucial. For DeFi service providers that aim at offering DeFi solutions outside of the blockchain ecosystem and in direct competition with traditional financial solutions, regulatory requirements will be instrumental.
For DeFi teams considering to build the next generation of scalable DeFi solutions on Partisia Blockchain, please find links to the scientific work, description, and template smart contracts below:
We are proud to introduce to the community one of our major roadmap items, the BYOC framework.
Interoperability and decentralization is one of our core values of our blockchain and one of our goals is to enable anyone to harness the capabilities of MPC. This is why our BYOC architecture was created in the first place, allowing the onboarding of any liquid assets to be usable as transaction fees (gas) on our blockchain.
Until now the foundation has proposed and enabled the onboarding of ETH, Polygon USDC and BNB as forms of payment. But our long term goal always was to allow for the community to make decisions on what tokens should be enabled on our chain.
The BYOC framework will now allow for the community to propose any tokens running on the Ethereum, BNB or Polygon chains to be usable as gas payment. The proposal then will go to our validators who will then make the final vote on whether or not to onboard the token as form of payment on Partisia Blockchain.
In the coming days we will share additional details and instructions on how the community can create a proposal for a token to be enabled on Partisia Blockchain. The foundation will initially start by submitting proposals to enable both USDT and MATIC tokens, and create detailed instruction guides using these two tokens as templates to help guide the community to onboard other tokens of their choice.
We are very excited to introduce this new feature and looking forward to seeing other great tokens being introduced by the community into our bridge.
August has been a busy month of success! Let’s dive into this month’s Partisia Blockchain update, exploring various industries to showcase the flexibility and transformative potential of blockchain and multiparty computation (MPC). From revolutionizing government processes with transparency and security to redefining data-sharing in marketing and advertising, while prioritizing privacy, our solutions continue to drive innovation.
The healthcare sector witnesses privacy-preserved collaboration and supply chain efficiency, while logistics embraces streamlined supply chain management through blockchain and MPC integration. In the community sphere, we have explored Self-Sovereign Identity’s (SSI) elevated privacy with MPC and tackled GDPR compliance through anonymization. The spotlight on Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) broadened our understanding of blockchain possibilities. We hosted an insightful MPC Advantages Q&A session, and our dynamic community engaged in a Web3 marketing discussion — Hivemind Huddles.
Technical advancements include operational smart contracts for DID and verifiable credentials, BYOC framework deployment, and browser updates. As we power ahead, we eagerly anticipate unveiling the BYOC framework in more detail and introducing even more streamlined management features. Stay updated with another month of innovation and progress!
In this month’s recap, we have explored our Industry Spotlight and how Partisia Blockchain’s solutions benefit diverse sectors, including Government, Marketing and Advertising, Healthcare and Logistics. Our journey through these industries showcases the versatile applications of blockchain and Multiparty Computation (MPC), each tailored to address specific challenges while upholding privacy, security and efficiency.
Within the domain of government, Partisia Blockchain envisions transformative solutions that embrace the principles of transparency, security and efficiency. By harnessing the power of blockchain and multiparty computation (MPC), bureaucratic processes can be streamlined while maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information. Initiatives, such as DelNorte and E-Trusty, exemplify how blockchain can enhance trust in public institutions, create transparency in public tenders, and uphold privacy in CBDCs and blockchain-based voting systems.
In the dynamic landscape of marketing and advertising, Partisia Blockchain revolutionizes data-sharing models. With our privacy-first approach and secure MPC technology, users gain ownership and control over their data. The combination of blockchain and MPC empowers data analytics companies to compute on encrypted data without compromising its privacy, rewarding users for data contribution, ensuring real-time data access, and maintaining transparency. Partisia Blockchain bridges the gap between consumer privacy concerns and data-driven marketing strategies.
In the domain of healthcare, Partisia Blockchain leads the charge in preserving privacy while fostering collaboration and innovation. Our MPC technology introduces secure data analysis without exposing raw information. In the realm of DNA sequencing, Partisia Blockchain ensures the security of genetic data. In clinical research, MPC empowers cross-institutional studies while safeguarding patient privacy. Supply chain management witnesses a transformation, enabling stakeholders to manage complex supply networks without revealing proprietary information. In clinical trial recruitment, MPC facilitates efficient participant matching while upholding data security and privacy. Partisia Blockchain redefines healthcare through the lens of privacy, security, and collaboration.
Lastly, we explored the impact of our solution on the logistics industry, envisioning a streamlined future where blockchain and multiparty computation (MPC) converge to enhance supply chain management. By integrating QR codes with tokenized product representations, we facilitated instant information access and reduced confusion. Blockchain’s transparent touchpoints improved logistics and supply chain transparency, while smart contracts automated processes and adapted to evolving documentation requirements. In the realm of quality assurance, we harnessed MPC and blockchain to digitize supply chains, ensuring privacy preservation and selective data access. Our solutions streamline documentation, upheld compliance with GxP regulations, and heighten efficiency throughout the supply chain, ultimately paving the way for a resilient and transparent industry transformation.
In this month’s community update, we highlighted the transformative impact of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) and Digital ID solutions within today’s dynamic data landscape. Partisia Blockchain’s MPC technology introduces an innovative dimension to SSI, elevating privacy levels and unveiling novel business models. Crucial to the foundation of digital identity, Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) and verifiable credentials empowered users with data control capabilities. Expanding the horizons of SSI, multiparty computation (MPC) enabled confidential data analytics and versatile multi-functional applications.
Additionally, Partisia Blockchain discovered its vital role in facilitating GDPR compliance through the strategic application of multiparty computation (MPC) technology. The utilization of MPC ensured the anonymization of personal data, allowing for uninterrupted data collection while maintaining privacy. This decentralized MPC approach elevates data security and control, in alignment with the access and erasure rights mandated by GDPR. Additionally, our groundbreaking jurisdiction management v1.0 provides an innovative solution for geographically aligned data processing, effectively safeguarding data rights and privacy. As the significance of data privacy continues to grow, Partisia Blockchain remains at the forefront, pioneering technological solutions that enhance privacy, security, and adherence to regulatory standards.
Continuing our exploration of innovative developments, this month, we delved into Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) and their impact on the blockchain landscape. At the core of any blockchain lies the concept of consensus without reliance on a central authority. Programmable blockchains have opened the door to a realm of possibilities, with applications categorized into three types: public input-public output, private input-public output, and private input-private output.
To provide a better understanding of the topic, we held a special MPC Advantages Q&A session, featuring Partisia Blockchain’s Principal Architect Emil Orloff, Cryptographic Scientist Anders Dalskov, and Head of Developer Relations Bruce Ahn. This insightful session delved into what MPC is, and how we differ from other privacy and MPC-based blockchains. To learn more about this topic and where Partisia Blockchain fits in, check out our blog post and comparison chart here.
On 10 August 2023, our vibrant community came together once again for an engaging Hivemind Huddle. This interactive session delved into the realm of Web3 marketing, exploring both the broader landscape and Partisia Blockchain’s unique strategies. Our conversation spanned across past successes like PR efforts, conferences, and media coverage, while also delving into intriguing future prospects (without divulging specifics). It was a great conversation where the community contributed with great ideas, some of which will be directly implemented through the Ambassador Program.
DelNorte, the latest project integrated into the Partisia Blockchain ecosystem, achieved a significant milestone in the past week. It successfully completed the initial transactions for its inaugural real estate deed pilot project, in collaboration with the El Salvadoran government. Additionally, DelNorte has three more pilot projects in the pipeline, each partnering with different governments. This achievement marks a crucial step forward, with El Salvador’s participation serving as the pioneering proof of concept for these initiatives.
Veric has achieved significant advancements, successfully implementing fully operational smart contracts for DID and verifiable credentials on the testnet. The team is currently enhancing privacy features and making necessary preparations for the upcoming mainnet launch, including the facilitation of user onboarding processes.
Progress is being made to our next BYOC asset, Cardano’s ADA token. Currently work is ongoing and we hope to introduce ADA as a BYOC asset in the future.
We increased the number of leads for partnership in the month of August. We are busy working through them and akin to the two we mentioned above, we hope to continue this trend and be able to show the continued interest on our chain.
We deployed the code to support one of our flagship roadmap items, the BYOC framework. Soon we will introduce this feature in more detail with instructions on how you can submit a token to be a bridgeable asset in Partisia Blockchain.
We have also been busy with updates to our browser to include transaction details, indexing and the ability to deploy contracts. Work is not done however and we will continue to push updates to both migrate functionality currently in the dashboard as well as other key features and functions to ease management of your tokens.
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