Interoperable, customizable and scalable: Get To Know The Cosmos Network
The interchain is an ecosystem designed to address various challenges in the context of blockchain and offer specific benefits that make it an attractive choice for developers and blockchain-based projects.
Before 2018, when the ecosystem became the pioneer in the concept of Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) with the Cosmos Hub, blockchains were siloed and unable to communicate with each other. They were hard to build and could only handle a small number of transactions per second. Cosmos solves some of the hardest blockchain problems of scalability, usability and interoperability.
At Zondax, we contribute to the development and maintenance of the Cosmos SDK. We collaborate on different SDK modules such as Keys on Keybase, KMS and HSMs, also on the Cryptography module of the SDK and on the Rosetta project that implements the Coinbase Rosetta API.
Interoperability & Customizability
Both, interoperability and customizability within the interchain ecosystem can be likened to the human body where various organs (blockchains) harmoniously communicate through the IBC protocol (the nervous system), creating a fully functional organism with diverse applications. Just as the nervous system guides the organs, using the Interchain Stack, developers can run their own chains, each as unique as an organ. These Zones work at their own pace, have distinct functionalities (consensus mechanisms), and follow their own working system (governance models), enabling the creation of a fine-tuned blockchain.
Scalability
The interchain was initially envisaged to employ a hub-and-spoke architecture, that allows standalone blockchains to expand horizontally. The approach makes them benefit from the security and consensus features of the Cosmos Hub. It’s a useful solution for addressing scalability challenges often faced by single-chain platforms.
However, by modularising and open-sourcing the Interchain Stack, developers can launch independent, wholly sovereign blockchains using the CometBFT and Cosmos SDK, and securely connecting with other blockchains via the IBC Protocol.
The concept of hub-and-spoke architecture has made a comeback recently, with the launch of Interchain Security — a way to utilize the economic security of one chain, to secure another.
What about Security?
You can think of the security model as a gated community, where each chain acts as its own homeowner’s association. In this neighborhood, security is maintained through a vigilant selection process. Just as homeowners in a gated community can choose their own security providers and customize their protection, each chain in the interchain ecosystem handpicks its validators to guard its blockchain and ensure consensus.
Unlike a conventional neighborhood with a single, uniform security team, where a one-size-fits-all approach might leave some homeowners feeling vulnerable, Cosmos’s approach is more like each homeowner having their own personalized security detail. This allows each chain to tailor its defenses to its unique needs, fostering a sense of trust and security. By decentralizing the security landscape, chains not only bolster the protection but also maintain adaptability, standing as a fortress of innovation compared to other, less flexible security models.
Ease of Development
The Cosmos Software Development Kit (SDK) simplifies the process of blockchain development. It allows developers to build modules for common blockchain functions, which reduces the time and effort required to create new Zones. The Cosmos SDK is mostly developed using the Go (also known as Golang) programming language. Go is the core language of the Cosmos SDK due to its performance, efficiency and suitability for creating blockchain projects, currently more than 90% of the code in the Cosmos repository. Many of the Cosmos SDK components and modules, as well as the CometBFTconsensus engine, are implemented in Go. Also, other programming languages can be used to build blockchain applications with the Cosmos SDK. These applications can be developed using languages that support interfaces and SDKs. Some popular languages for blockchain project development include Rust and JavaScript/TypeScript.
Growing Ecosystem
The interchain has a diverse and growing ecosystem with a lot of chainsand dApps. Famous platforms like Binance Smart Chain and Akash Network are part of this ecosystem, this is a real example of Interchain Stack’s adaptability and potential. There are currently over 70 active zones in the ecosystem, according to the Map of Zones — an explorer for the ecosystem.
This number has grown in recent years, as the modularity of the Interchain Security gained traction and more developers have built on the Cosmos SDK. In 2019, there were only around 10 active zones in the Cosmos ecosystem. This number grew to around 50 in 2020, and then to over 100 in 2021. The rapid growth of the interchain in recent years is due to the factors we point to in this blog.
On-Chain Governance
The on-chain governance system built-in by default in all Cosmos SDK app chains can be likened to a grand parliament of token holders, where every token is a vote, and each decision is a piece of legislation. This legislative assembly operates in a transparent, auditable, and decentralized manner, akin to an open forum in a grand hall where the echoes of each debate reverberate through the ages.
In this hallowed chamber, the Cosmos Hub’s governance system plays the role of a central parliament, where key decisions resonate like the heartbeat of the ecosystem. This is not a technical implementation — every appchain in the ecosystem has its own independent governance. However, being one of the first chains in the ecosystem, the Cosmos Hub has become the defacto social capital of the ecosystem — and has overseen crucial matters such as adjusting the inflation rate of ATOM, allocating funds for diverse projects, and introducing innovating features to the ecosystem, by virtue of developing the functionality for the Cosmos Hub.
Beyond this “central parliament”, each appchain is a microcosm of democracy, with its own governance system. For example, the Osmosis zone functions like a town hall meeting, allowing OSMO token holders to submit proposals and cast their votes, shaping the destiny of the Osmosis DEX. In this way, the interchain embraces a decentralized, all-inclusive governance system where the voice of every token holder is a precious thread in the tapestry of decision-making that impacts their blockchain.
Cross-Chain Applications
Thanks to IBC, developers can create cross-chain applications that have the strengths of multiple blockchains. This innovation allows possibilities in decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and other cutting-edge applications spanning multiple chains.
Community and Support
At Zondax, as part of the core SDK developers, we are dedicated to enhancing various key domains. Our focus extends across hardware wallet support, advancements in cryptography, integration of Rosetta within the Cosmos SDK, and the continual incorporation of the latest technologies and standards. Our ongoing efforts center around modularizing and modernizing the security aspects of the SDK.
Looking ahead, our commitment involves the continuous maintenance of the Cosmos SDK. We are dedicated to addressing any reported issues from contributors in the repository. Additionally, we plan to submit a proposal to refactor the crypto module within the Cosmos SDK in the near future. The primary objectives of this initiative are to enhance modularity, reusability, and maintainability. Throughout this process, we prioritize improving the developer experience and adhering to security best practices.
The proposal provides a comprehensive framework, delineating clear scopes for each component, refining interfaces, enhancing test coverage, and establishing a single source of truth. This strategic approach empowers developers to concentrate on essential tasks while ensuring the secure handling of sensitive data.
The Interchain Foundation serves as the custodian of this expansive decentralized ecosystem. Its primary objectives involve the development and maintenance of foundational protocols for building secure and customized appchains — the free and open-source Interchain Stack.
The interchain enjoys an engaged and active community made by developers, validators, and users. The support and collaboration opportunities inside this community is invaluable for new projects seeking guidance and partnership. You can always find support in their Discord, Telegram, or find useful info in the Cosmos Forum.
To wrap up, Cosmos offers a diverse set of features and advantages that make it an attractive option for blockchain developers and projects. These include flexibility and user-friendliness for application development, the ability to govern your own blockchain, and interoperability.
Whether your goal is to build a blockchain, develop cross-chain applications, or use interchain’s interoperable ecosystem, it provides a robust platform to explore and bring your blockchain ideas to a real project.
For more Cosmos content visit www.zondax.ch, follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Telegram.
