MultiversX Protocol Expertise
This skill encompasses deep knowledge of the core MultiversX protocol architecture, utilized for reviewing protocol-level changes, complex dApp architectures involving cross-shard logic, and sovereign chain integrations.
1. Core Architecture: Adaptive State Sharding
- •Sharding Types:
- •Network Sharding: Nodes are distributed into shards.
- •Transaction Sharding: Transactions are processed by the shard containing the sender's account.
- •State Sharding: Each shard maintains a portion of the global state (account space).
- •Metachain:
- •The coordinator shard.
- •Handles: Validator churning, Epoch/Round verification, Slashing, Header notarization.
- •Does NOT execute general smart contracts (except for system contracts like Staking, ESDT management).
- •Cross-Shard Transactions:
- •Async (Process -> Relay -> Execute): Sender Shard processes TX -> Generates internal transaction (Scratchpad) -> Relayer -> Receiver Shard executes.
- •Atomicity: Cross-shard is atomic but asynchronous.
2. Consensus: Secure Proof of Stake (SPoS)
- •Selection: Deterministic selection of validators based on stake + rating.
- •BLS Signing: Validators sign proposed blocks using BLS multi-signatures.
- •Finality: Instant finality (within seconds) due to PBFT-like consensus within the shard.
3. Token Standards (ESDT)
- •Native Implementation: Tokens are NOT smart contracts (unlike ERC-20). They are part of the protocol account state.
- •ESDT Properties:
- •CanFreeze: Protocol can freeze assets if configured.
- •CanWipe: Protocol can wipe assets if configured.
- •CanPause: Protocol can pause transfers.
- •Roles:
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ESDTRoleLocalMint: Allows minting. - •
ESDTRoleLocalBurn: Allows burning.
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4. Sovereign Chains & Interoperability
- •Sovereign Chains: Dedicated blockchains extending MultiversX.
- •Gateway Contract: Handles bridging between Mainchain and Sovereign Chain.
- •Settlement: Sovereign Chains settle proofs to the MultiversX Mainchain (acting as Layer 1).
- •Interoperability Standards:
- •MIP-X: Monitor [MIPs] for latest standard adoption.
5. Transaction Processing
- •Gas Schedule: Operations have deterministic costs.
- •Built-in Functions:
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ESDTTransfer: Direct transfer. - •
ESDTNFTTransfer: Transfer of SFT/NFT. - •
MultiESDTNFTTransfer: Batch transfer (often used for Contract calls).
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6. Critical Checks for Protocol Developers
- •Intra-shard vs Cross-shard:
- •Always assume a call might be cross-shard unless verified co-location.
- •Async: If logic depends on the result of a call to another address, it MUST be an Async Call (Callbacks).
- •Reorg Handling:
- •Microservices must handle block rollbacks (Standard: wait for 'Finalized' status, or handle re-org events).