AlephZero is a blockchain, a decentralized and secure platform for conducting transactions and executing smart contracts. It stands out for its approach to transaction organization and its commitment to data privacy. Essentially, AlephZero is part of a new generation of blockchains designed to address the growing needs of the digital ecosystem, offering advanced and secure solutions for transactions and decentralized interactions while preserving privacy.
AlephZero Architecture
🔹 Substrate and Aleph Zero
➮ AlephZero is built with Polkadot’s Substrate technology (@Polkadot). Substrate is an open-source framework written in Rust for creating custom blockchains. It offers a modular architecture, making it easier to develop tailor-made blockchains. It’s the tech used by Polkadot and Kusama, demonstrating its robustness and flexibility. It’s clearly a big deal. For more information on Substrate, we will let you read this: 🗞️ https://substrate.io
🔹 Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG)
AlephZero is based on an architecture built on a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG). Unlike traditional blockchains based on a linear chain of blocks, the DAG allows for transaction organization in the form of a graph, thereby speeding up transaction speed and increasing network throughput.
ℹ️ Information: Don’t know what a DAG is? Read this 👇
➮ A Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) is a data structure used to represent relationships between different entities. Think of it as a set of points connected by arrows, where each point represents an entity and each arrow represents a relationship. The unique aspect of a DAG is that it does not contain loops, meaning there are no paths that return to the starting point by following the arrows.
➮ In other words, in a DAG, you can trace a path by following the arrows from one point to another, but you can never return to the starting point by following those arrows. This lack of loops makes the DAG very useful for representing data structures where it’s important to avoid cycles.
➮ In the context of blockchain, a DAG is used to organize transactions efficiently, thereby speeding up transaction processing and improving network scalability.
⚠️ But @Aleph__Zero doesn’t stop at just a DAG! Yes, Aleph Zero is a blend of Blockchain and DAG! To understand, we will explain where the DAG fits into the architecture of Aleph Zero: 👇
In the Aleph Zero blockchain, the DAG works in synergy with the main blockchain. Unlike traditional approaches where transactions are grouped into blocks to be added to the chain, Aleph Zero uses the DAG as an auxiliary structure in the blockchain creation process.
More specifically, the DAG comes into play in gathering information about the order of transactions. Transactions are recorded in the DAG, forming a directed acyclic graph that represents the chronology of events. This graph acts as a decentralized consensus mechanism where validators propose transaction blocks based on DAG information to ensure transactions are correctly ordered and there are no double-spends or malicious practices.
To be completely transparent with you, this is the first time I’ve seen this type of approach. Aleph Zero is neither a blockchain nor a DAG, or rather: Aleph Zero is both a DAG and a blockchain. The two work in synergy. We find that really powerful, it’s so much more interesting than a classical DAG implementation, like in the case of Fantom, for example.
🔹 Zero Knowledge on AlephZero
One of the pillars of AlephZero is its focus on privacy. This privacy is ensured through the use of Zero Knowledge (ZK) technology, which allows users to carry out transactions without revealing their sensitive data. By combining ZK-SNARKs cryptographic proofs and secure multiparty computation (sMPC), AlephZero guarantees a high level of privacy for its users.
ℹ️ Information: If you’re wondering “what is ZK technology?”, read this 👇
➮ Zero Knowledge (ZK) technology is a method that enables a person to prove they know certain information without revealing that information itself. It’s like being able to prove you know a secret without disclosing the secret to anyone else.
➮ To better understand, imagine you have a guessing game where only you know the answer. You can prove to someone that you know the answer by asking them questions that only the person who knows the answer can answer correctly, without ever telling them the actual answer.
➮ In the world of technology, this means you can prove you possess information or have performed an action without revealing that information or action itself. This can be very useful for protecting users’ privacy while enabling secure interactions on the internet, such as financial transactions or identity verifications.
🔹 Explanation of ZK-SNARKs and sMPC
➮ ZK-SNARKs:
Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-interactive ARguments of Knowledge (ZK-SNARKs) are a powerful tool used in the field of cryptography, particularly in blockchains and cryptocurrencies.
In practical terms, ZK-SNARKs allow a person to prove they possess certain knowledge without needing to reveal that knowledge in detail. These proofs are both succinct, meaning they are of small size, and non-interactive, meaning they do not require interaction between the prover and the verifier.
The process of ZK-SNARKs relies on three main algorithms:
- Key generator: This algorithm creates the keys necessary for proof generation and verification.
- Prover: This algorithm allows the prover to generate a proof from certain information without revealing that information in detail.
- Verifier: This algorithm allows the verifier to verify the validity of the proof without needing to know the details of the proven information.
ZK-SNARKs are used in blockchains like AlephZero to create confidential transactions, where network nodes can verify the validity of a transaction without knowing sensitive details such as the amount or the addresses involved.
It’s important to note that to ensure the security of ZK-SNARKs, it’s necessary to establish a trusted setup between the prover and the verifier, typically through a “trusted setup” where secret parameters are securely generated.
➮ Secure Multi-Party Computation (sMPC):
Secure Multi-Party Computation (sMPC) is a cryptographic technique that enables multiple parties to collaborate on a computation while preserving the confidentiality of their private data.
Imagine a group of friends who want to calculate their average earnings without revealing the exact amount earned by each individual. MPC would allow each friend to contribute to this calculation without disclosing their individual earnings.
In the realm of crypto, MPC is used to secure wallets by enabling multiple parties to jointly generate the necessary private keys to access funds, without each party knowing the entirety of the private key.
Benefits of MPC-based wallets include enhanced security, improved privacy, better asset control, the ability to use multi-signature (multi-sig) schemes, and potential for broader adoption.
However, MPC can be complex to implement and may slow down transactions due to the additional computation required. Additionally, it relies on the availability and cooperation of the involved parties, which can be a drawback in some cases.
ℹ️ Information: For your general knowledge, we will provide you with concrete use cases of the sMPC concept:
• Privacy Protection: One of the main advantages of sMPC is that it allows parties to collaborate on data processing while preserving the confidentiality of their individual data. This helps protect user privacy, which is crucial in many contexts, especially in the medical, financial, and legal fields.
• Secure Collaboration: sMPC enables distinct entities to collaborate on problems while maintaining data confidentiality. This opens up new opportunities for collaboration between organizations or individuals who may hesitate to share their sensitive data.
• Enhanced Security: sMPC protocols are designed to ensure the security and confidentiality of data, even in the presence of malicious entities. This helps reduce the risks of data leaks or hacks, offering a more robust solution than traditional methods of data processing.
• Diverse Applications: sMPC has numerous potential applications in various fields such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications, national security, etc. For example, it can be used for analyzing sensitive medical data without compromising patient confidentiality or for collaboration between financial institutions without revealing confidential customer information.
➮ In the context of blockchain, sMPC can also play a significant role. Here are some ways sMPC can be relevant:
• Transaction Privacy: Public blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum are transparent, meaning all transactions are visible to all participants. However, there are use cases where transaction privacy is necessary. sMPC protocols can enable the execution of smart contracts or dApps on the blockchain while preserving the confidentiality of the involved data.
• Secure Electronic Voting: sMPC protocols can be used to create secure electronic voting systems on the blockchain. For example, in the case of decentralized governance that would be more private thanks to sMPC. Participants can make collective decisions while protecting the privacy of their preferences and identities.
• Private Smart Contracts: Smart contracts on the blockchain can automatically execute agreements without human intervention once conditions are met. By using sMPC protocols, it’s possible to create smart contracts that operate on private data without revealing it to third parties, opening up new possibilities for applications such as insurance, loans, etc.
Scalability and Decentralization
🔹 Efficient Transaction Ordering
The efficiency of transaction ordering is a crucial element for the scalability of blockchains. AlephZero leverages the DAG to efficiently organize transactions, thus eliminating issues related to double spending and dubious practices. This approach increases transaction speed and enables the creation of more robust decentralized protocols.
➮ Scalability: At Aleph Zero, we have a block time of 0.9 seconds, which is remarkably low compared to other blockchains (Bitcoin: 10 minutes and Ethereum: 12 seconds). In the testnet, 100,000 TPS (transactions per second) have been achieved. These figures demonstrate the power of Aleph Zero. Aleph Zero, as a platform, ensures instant finality and is capable of scaling efficiently both at the consensus protocol level and as a smart contract platform. These figures will allow the network to handle a large number of users, making it suitable for future use cases to be deployed on the chain.
🔹 Decentralized Consensus Mechanism: AlephBFT
AlephZero’s decentralized consensus mechanism, called AlephBFT, is based on the Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) architecture. With this mechanism, network nodes can reach secure consensus even in the presence of malicious nodes. AlephBFT thus ensures an immutable and verified transaction history, ensuring the security and decentralization of the network.
➮ The AlephBFT Consensus is the consensus protocol used by the Aleph Zero blockchain. It defines the rules and mechanisms that allow all participants to agree on the current state of the blockchain, i.e., on all transactions recorded therein. The Aleph Zero blockchain combines Proof of Stake (PoS) with Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAG).
The use of DAGs in Aleph Zero eliminates malicious block producers by creating leaderless protocols, which contributes to the security and decentralization of the blockchain. Unlike traditional blockchains, where transactions are recorded in a linear order, DAGs allow multiple transactions to be processed simultaneously, improving the speed and efficiency of the network.
The AlephBFT protocol also incorporates Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT). This architecture ensures that communication between nodes remains efficient and transparent even in the presence of malicious nodes. According to this protocol, as long as fewer than one-third of the nodes are malicious, the blockchain can operate securely, thus ensuring the integrity and immutability of transactions.
We see you behind your screens, you must be wondering: “But then, if more than 1/3 of the nodes are malicious, is the Aleph Zero blockchain corrupted? Or has Aleph Zero put something in place to prevent the network from being corrupted even if one-third of the nodes are malicious?”
Of course, Aleph Zero has put something in place to address this issue, and we will explain it to you (which is not the case for many blockchains operating with a BFT consensus).
To ensure decentralization and security, Aleph Zero implements a rotating committee of randomly chosen members to make decisions about the network’s future. This prevents excessive concentration of power in the hands of a few validators and also helps limit corruption in the network. Moreover, by adopting an asynchronous approach, the network is designed to operate smoothly even if certain parts of the network are unavailable, thus enhancing the system’s resilience against attacks. By combining these strategies with the use of DAGs and the ability to temporarily freeze funds in case of suspicious behavior (we will explain this freezing story just after), Aleph Zero aims to maintain the security and decentralization of its network despite potential risks.
ℹ️ Information: “What does ‘asynchronous’ mean? What does it allow in the case of a network?” Read this 👇
In a network, “asynchronous” means that devices can communicate with each other without having to do exactly the same thing at the same time. It means they can send and receive information at their own pace, without waiting for an immediate response.
Imagine a group of people sending emails. In synchronous communication, each person would have to wait for the other to respond immediately after receiving the message. But in asynchronous communication, each person can send a message whenever they want, and the other can reply when they have time, without everyone needing to be connected at the same time.
This makes communication more flexible and efficient because devices can continue to do other things while waiting for a response. It’s like sending a message and being able to go about your business while waiting for the reply, instead of having to stay tuned in all day.
In an asynchronous network:
• Component Independence: Nodes can work without worrying about what others are doing.
• Time Flexibility: There’s no need for strict synchronization; each node can operate at its own pace.
• Wait-Free Communication: Messages can be sent without waiting for an immediate response.
• Fault Tolerance: The network can continue to function even if some nodes experience temporary issues.
• Adaptability: Asynchronous networks can better adapt to changes and unforeseen events.
Finally, Aleph Zero adopts a unique approach to security. Instead of permanently confiscating funds in case of malicious behavior, the protocol opts for temporary suspension of funds. An investigation is then conducted to determine whether the suspicious behavior was intentional or resulted from an error, thus offering a more equitable and thoughtful solution to potential security issues.
Liminal: Native Privacy Layer
🔹 A Privacy Infrastructure for Smart Contracts
Liminal is a solution developed by Aleph Zero, designed to enhance the privacy of smart contracts in the blockchain domain. This infrastructure offers developers two ways to access the platform’s privacy features: either natively, directly on the Aleph Zero platform, or by integrating the multi-chain privacy layer.
🔹 Seamless Integration
One of the main advantages of Liminal lies in its ability to facilitate integration between different blockchains. For example, developers can write smart contracts on platforms like Ethereum or Near, while keeping a private state of these contracts on Aleph Zero (basically by “storing” them on Aleph Zero). This seamless integration allows smooth use of privacy features, regardless of the blockchain network used.
🔹 Use of ZK-Proofs and sMPC
Liminal leverages two complementary technologies to enhance the privacy of smart contracts: ZK-SNARKs and the previously mentioned sMPC.
🔹 Performance Optimization
While sMPC can be slow when used alone, Liminal optimizes its performance by applying it only when necessary, i.e., for computations that need to interact directly with the common private state. Other computations can be performed and validated using ZK-Proofs (ZK-SNARKs), thus offering better efficiency and smoother resource utilization.
🔹 Implications for the Blockchain Industry
Liminal paves the way for new applications in the blockchain industry by providing a robust infrastructure for privacy-focused smart contracts. By enabling seamless integration between different blockchains and optimizing performance through the combined use of ZK-Proofs and sMPC, Liminal contributes to advancing privacy and security in the realm of decentralized technologies.
Use Cases of AlephZero
Here are the various use cases of AlephZero:
➮ Smart Contracts
At Aleph, smart contracts are fast, secure, and comprehensive, evolving for applications requiring high computational power. This opens up a new world of possibilities for systems with complex machine learning components and other large-scale automated services. In the future, this could enable the deployment of fully reliable autonomous agents.
➮ Automatic Payments and Revenue Sharing Agreements
Scalable dApps that automate payments and bring transparency and efficiency to revenue-sharing models. Aleph Zero could bring transparency and efficiency to revenue-sharing models, eliminating the need for trust or audits. This could simplify agreements. The parties involved, after discussing aspects of their cooperation, could use a simple user interface to create smart contracts for their own purposes. They could generate such a contract for a given period, and from then on, they could receive mutual benefits without unnecessary additional work.
➮ Supply Chain Management
Aleph Zero can improve supply chains in various ways. For example, by using its own currency stored on the protocol, payments and accounting could be streamlined. Additionally, by recording the complete history of production, logistics, and distribution on the Aleph Zero network, full traceability of products would be ensured.
This transparency could encourage businesses to openly demonstrate their good practices, such as absence of animal testing or employment of child laborers. Moreover, by simplifying supply chains, this could eventually lead to higher-quality products at lower prices.
➮ Transparent Access to Public Documents
Government transparency, which fosters trust and accountability, is one of the pillars of democracy. However, it can be challenging to strike a balance between overall transparency and protection of sensitive data, such as national security matters or intellectual property.
Aleph Zero offers a solution by providing a blockchain network that can function as both a public and private ledger. This allows keeping publicly accessible data on a public ledger while enabling governments and businesses to secure other aspects of their operations via private chains. This approach could enhance the efficiency of governmental and business processes while strengthening communication with citizens.
➮ Databases
Data collection is a major trend in many sectors, but it brings challenges in data management and analysis. Centralized databases are fast but expensive to maintain and may have single points of failure. Aleph Zero offers a decentralized alternative, without mining fees, providing low-cost and attack-resistant databases.
➮ Notary Signer
Aleph Zero is revolutionizing the notary service by offering a decentralized blockchain-based platform. This enables secure and immutable recording of notarial transactions, accessible online and without intermediaries. Through advanced technology, Aleph Zero ensures the integrity of transactions and simplifies the process, offering a modern and efficient alternative to traditional notary services.
➮ Wallet and DEX
Aleph Zero offers a truly decentralized wallet, the Common Wallet, operating on its own protocol, compatible with a wide range of cryptocurrencies, from the most popular like Bitcoin $BTC and Ethereum $ETH to the lesser-known ones.
Thanks to its DAG structure, Aleph Zero does not require mining, resulting in minimal transaction fees. Its decentralized security ensures a high level of trust, while its speed enables Bitcoin transactions in just a few seconds. This paves the way for the creation of decentralized exchanges for large-scale cryptocurrency trading.
➮ DNS
Aleph Zero proposes a decentralized alternative to the traditional DNS system. Currently, centralized DNS servers can monitor internet traffic, compromise privacy, and potentially censor internet access. In response to these challenges, Aleph Zero envisions creating a DNS service integrated into web browsers, based on its blockchain technology. This would provide a layer of technological trust, prevent malicious alterations of IP addresses, and eliminate the need for legitimacy certificates for websites. This system would ensure greater privacy and faster connection, thus enhancing the internet experience for users.
➮ Asset Digitization (Tokenization)
Aleph Zero simplifies asset tokenization by making exchanges more efficient and secure through its decentralized blockchain platform. Current transactions involving the purchase of real estate or the acquisition of stocks are complex, often requiring the intervention of lawyers, brokers, and insurance. However, Aleph Zero’s proposed solution automates much of these processes through its smart contracts. This reduces transaction complexity while ensuring compliance and eliminating manipulation risks.
➮ Gaming Assets
Gaming assets, such as paid extensions and rare items, can give players an advantage and have significant financial value. However, theft of these items by hackers can diminish the gaming experience and undermine trust in in-game purchases.
To address this issue, Aleph Zero proposes a gaming asset tokenization system. This would allow free exchanges between games, expanding purchasing options for players. Additionally, it could bring security and transparency to the gaming industry while offering new revenue streams for developers. As a fast, scalable, and secure platform, Aleph Zero is well-positioned to support this decentralization of gaming assets.
➮ Automatic Tax Payments
Tax payments are essential for the economy (even if we, as citizens, would rather do without them), but their complexity and lack of transparency are problematic. Simplifying and automating this process is crucial, but a centralized solution poses security risks. Aleph Zero proposes a decentralized alternative that ensures data security. Through its platform, taxes could be calculated and collected automatically, thus eliminating potential errors and security risks. This approach could also simplify cross-border VAT settlements and reduce the need for complex accounting.
➮ IoT
The IoT sector is vast and diverse but faces challenges in security, scalability, and transaction costs. Centralized databases pose a security risk, while current decentralized systems are often slow and expensive.
Aleph Zero offers a decentralized, fast, secure, and cost-effective solution tailored to IoT networks. With its scalability and open-source community, Aleph Zero can effectively and collaboratively meet the varied needs of IoT devices.
Tokenomics of the AZERO token
🔹 Role and Utility of the AZERO Token
The $AZERO token plays a significant role in the AlephZero ecosystem. It is used for various functions such as staking and operating validation nodes, providing liquidity for ecosystem services, governance voting on-chain, as well as exercising control of off-chain workers to execute private computations.
🔹 Token Issuance and Distribution Mechanism
The $AZERO token was issued during the Token Genesis Event (TGE) with an initial circulating supply of 180M. The issuance mechanism is designed to incentivize staking and participation in the ecosystem. Tokens are distributed according to predefined phases, with locking periods and specific acquisition dates for different categories of holders, thus contributing to maintaining balance and stability in the AlephZero token economy.
🔹 Tokenomics Stats
➮ As usual, here is the pie chart depicting the distribution of $AZERO tokens.
➮ we will also provide a link to Token Unlock (an app that provides extensive information on tokenomics, including token releases): Aleph Zero Unlock
➮ As well as a link to CryptoRank (which is an app providing extensive information on tokenomics and focusing on vestings, statistics on private investors, etc.): Aleph Zero Rank
➮ You’ll also find a wealth of information on the tokenomics of $AZERO here: Utility ans Economics
The Team Behind the Project
The AlephZero team consists of qualified specialists in the fields of blockchain and research. Their expertise spans a wide range of skills, from technical development to scientific research. This dynamic team is responsible for designing, developing, and continuously improving the AlephZero project.
Members of the AlephZero team come from diverse backgrounds, with varied professional experiences, including at renowned companies such as IBM, ABB, Stellar, Codewise, Capgemini, and ING Bank. Their diverse experience and complementary skills enable them to successfully lead the project and address the challenges of blockchain development.
For more information about the team: Aleph Zero Team
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