Traditionally, L1 blockchain solutions have focused on scalability, usually with some changes to TPS or node requirements, as compared to Ethereum. However, in today's dynamic decentralized space, few groundbreaking projects are solving more complex issues - from transaction intents and inter-chain communication to storage and state size. In this blog post, I'll explore some of my favorite innovative L1 projects that are reshaping the landscape of blockchain technology.

Mina Protocol stands out for its novel usage of zk-SNARKs. Mina doesn't just maintain succinct proof sizes; it utilizes a recursive composition of SNARKs to ensure that all the data stored on the chain nodes remain succinct. This innovative approach maintains a blockchain of around 22 KB, about the size of a couple of tweets. This compact size broadens accessibility, enabling users even on mobile and low-spec devices to participate.

The project also includes SnarkyJS, a fascinating toolkit for writing smart contracts using zk-SNARKs. This synergy between unique scalability and developer-friendly tools makes Mina Protocol an interesting project to watch.

It's worth mentioning that, while a Mina node may somewhat resemble a light node in Ethereum, the concept of an archive node still exists within the Mina context. However, there's a fundamental difference: Mina nodes can validate transactions as standalone entities, whereas light nodes in Ethereum always inherit their validation from the archive node.

Polkadot has a unique vision, aiming to be the multichain platform of web3. Polkadot presents a Relay chain for shared security, building a composition of Parachains. Each Parachains is a unique Blockchain, Built on the Substrate framework. This architecture allows developers to concentrate on their applications' features without fretting over security concerns.

A critical component of Polkadot's interoperability is the Cross-Consensus Message (XCM), a generic message format that Polkadot uses for communication between parachains. XCM enables asset transfer, smart contract interactions, account creation, and even governance decisions across chains. This interconnectedness paves the way to a future where blockchains are no longer isolated islands but an interconnected network of interoperable systems.

One of the challenges confronting Layer 2 solutions is shared liquidity. I strongly believe that this can be addressed using Polkadot's framework, specifically through Cross-Chain Message Passing (XCM). Currently, I'm actively researching this topic.

Anoma is creating a blockchain based on the concept of "intents". In the Anoma design “Intents” are the point at which users interact with applications, and an intent-centric design captures the requirements of applications which need processes like counterparty discovery, solving, and settlement to work in tandem and satisfy censorship-resistance, privacy, and fault-tolerance properties.

A solver, in the context of Anoma, is a node which chooses to observe all or a subset of intents and computes solutions over the set of intents. It achieves this by running one or many solver algorithms. These algorithms are local and different solvers compete with each other to satisfy the presented constraint system. In practice, solvers will likely specialize in certain applications, such as fungible token trading or computing rollup states.

A transaction in Anoma is a complete state transition which acts as a function from the current state to a new state. Transactions follow the declarative programming model and describe the desired end state rather than the imperative steps to compute it. Submitters of transactions, such as solvers or ordinary users, do not have to consider the execution steps when reasoning about the behavior of their transactions.

Even though IPFS and Filecoin do not strictly belong to the blockchain sphere, they traverse the boundary with their unique incentive mechanism (Filecoin), execution environment (FVM), and innovative connectivity approach (IPLD).

The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a distributed file system aiming to connect all computing devices with the same system of files. Filecoin, in turn, is a decentralized storage network that incentivizes data storage. Together, IPFS and Filecoin decentralize data storage and retrieval, fostering a more democratic and efficient web.

The FVM allows developers to execute smart contracts securely, reliably, and easily, close to where the data is stored. While IPLD is a unique approach to enable the linking and traversing of distributed data structures across different systems, adding flexibility to data handling in decentralized networks.

Indeed, the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a significant part of the decentralized community. It's a protocol and network designed to create a content-addressable, peer-to-peer method of storing and sharing hypermedia in a distributed file system.

Traditionally, L1 blockchain solutions have focused on scalability, usually with some changes to TPS or node requirements, as compared to Ethereum. However, in today's dynamic decentralized space, few groundbreaking projects are solving more complex issues - from transaction intents and inter-chain communication to storage and state size. In this blog post, I'll explore some of my favorite innovative L1 projects that are reshaping the landscape of blockchain technology.

Mina Protocol stands out for its novel usage of zk-SNARKs. Mina doesn't just maintain succinct proof sizes; it utilizes a recursive composition of SNARKs to ensure that all the data stored on the chain nodes remain succinct. This innovative approach maintains a blockchain of around 22 KB, about the size of a couple of tweets. This compact size broadens accessibility, enabling users even on mobile and low-spec devices to participate.

The project also includes SnarkyJS, a fascinating toolkit for writing smart contracts using zk-SNARKs. This synergy between unique scalability and developer-friendly tools makes Mina Protocol an interesting project to watch.

It's worth mentioning that, while a Mina node may somewhat resemble a light node in Ethereum, the concept of an archive node still exists within the Mina context. However, there's a fundamental difference: Mina nodes can validate transactions as standalone entities, whereas light nodes in Ethereum always inherit their validation from the archive node.

Polkadot has a unique vision, aiming to be the multichain platform of web3. Polkadot presents a Relay chain for shared security, building a composition of Parachains. Each Parachains is a unique Blockchain, Built on the Substrate framework. This architecture allows developers to concentrate on their applications' features without fretting over security concerns.

A critical component of Polkadot's interoperability is the Cross-Consensus Message (XCM), a generic message format that Polkadot uses for communication between parachains. XCM enables asset transfer, smart contract interactions, account creation, and even governance decisions across chains. This interconnectedness paves the way to a future where blockchains are no longer isolated islands but an interconnected network of interoperable systems.

One of the challenges confronting Layer 2 solutions is shared liquidity. I strongly believe that this can be addressed using Polkadot's framework, specifically through Cross-Chain Message Passing (XCM). Currently, I'm actively researching this topic.

Anoma is creating a blockchain based on the concept of "intents". In the Anoma design “Intents” are the point at which users interact with applications, and an intent-centric design captures the requirements of applications which need processes like counterparty discovery, solving, and settlement to work in tandem and satisfy censorship-resistance, privacy, and fault-tolerance properties.

A solver, in the context of Anoma, is a node which chooses to observe all or a subset of intents and computes solutions over the set of intents. It achieves this by running one or many solver algorithms. These algorithms are local and different solvers compete with each other to satisfy the presented constraint system. In practice, solvers will likely specialize in certain applications, such as fungible token trading or computing rollup states.

A transaction in Anoma is a complete state transition which acts as a function from the current state to a new state. Transactions follow the declarative programming model and describe the desired end state rather than the imperative steps to compute it. Submitters of transactions, such as solvers or ordinary users, do not have to consider the execution steps when reasoning about the behavior of their transactions.

Even though IPFS and Filecoin do not strictly belong to the blockchain sphere, they traverse the boundary with their unique incentive mechanism (Filecoin), execution environment (FVM), and innovative connectivity approach (IPLD).

The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a distributed file system aiming to connect all computing devices with the same system of files. Filecoin, in turn, is a decentralized storage network that incentivizes data storage. Together, IPFS and Filecoin decentralize data storage and retrieval, fostering a more democratic and efficient web.

The FVM allows developers to execute smart contracts securely, reliably, and easily, close to where the data is stored. While IPLD is a unique approach to enable the linking and traversing of distributed data structures across different systems, adding flexibility to data handling in decentralized networks.

Indeed, the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a significant part of the decentralized community. It's a protocol and network designed to create a content-addressable, peer-to-peer method of storing and sharing hypermedia in a distributed file system.