Lava Network: chain-agnostic RPC and data access for the modular stack
Thread1,150 words
Presents Lava as a permissionless network of node operators serving RPC and APIs for any chain, routing relays by performance. Testnet Phase 1 reportedly reached 300+ operators and 2bn+ relays on 30+ chains; notes a possible airdrop.
Key claims
300+ node operators, 2bn+ relays, 30+ chains in testnet phase 1
Relays routed by latency, uptime and data freshness
Specs are JSON modules defining API methods and compute cost
Wildly varied & fragmented data services across chains prevent devs from freely innovating where they would like.
The modular stack around @CelestiaOrg needs a chain-agnostic data access layer that lets you build whatever, wherever.
I found the project that builds it.
Alpha-🧵
1/ I spend a lot of time doing research in order to identify protocols that solve key problems early on.
Especially on an infrastructure level, this can pay off big.
Especially amid the modular expansion, many strong infra plays give rise to opportunities you shouldn't fade.
2/ Today we will explore a protocol that is still somewhat under the radar even though that has recently started to change.
This could very well turn into a key building block for any modular network.
Pay attention, anon (there might be an airdrop involved). 🪂
3/ Under the modular design paradigm, blockchain core functions are separated into distinct layers.
In these functional areas, specialized players emerge that provide use case-optimized, app-specific soultions.
4/ Through rollup SDKs and RaaS frameworks modular building blocks can be pieced together into highly customized & scalable chains.
But while a growing number of L1s and (modular) L2s are scaling execution, the modular stack still needs a way to scale access to blockchain data.
5/ @CelestiaOrg & the modular stack enable devs to build scalable rollups.
But a modular multi-chain future needs robust data infrastructure. Both devs & users need to have scalable data access to modular chains.
@lavanetxyz provides that access. For any chain. Through any API.
6/ Fragmentation is the largest obstacle to web3 innovation.
If you want to build an application in crypto, you need a data provider.
The quality of data providers on each chain differs wildly and doesn't scale quickly enough to meet developer and user interest.
7/ Battling these issues is a huge time-sink for developers.
Also, they are only worsening as more rollups and chains are launched and the backend complexity for the average web3 app increases.
Instead of focusing on innovation, developers have to focus on infrastructure.
8/ Just like long-standing issues caused by fragmented liquidity or connectivity, disjointed infrastructure creates systemic issues that have no native solution.
@lavanetxyz was built to offer blockchains, rollups and apps the most flexible and performant data infrastructure.
9/ At its core, @lavanetxyz is an open network of node operators that quickly add and compete to serve in-demand RPC and APIs, on any blockchain.
This gives a completely flexible, fast and scalable platform for developers to use as their backend.
10/ With @lavanetxyz, devs don't need to worry about data infrastructure when building on a new chain.
They can access all chains in one place, through whatever API, with only a few lines of code.
11/ They can automatically send relays to the best available node provider, based on historical performance, latency, uptime and data freshness.
They can buy one subscription and customize it with services from all providers, not of just one.
12/ All of this is @lavanetxyz.
A revolution in blockchain data access that will:
▶️ Speed up rollup & blockchain deployment by quickly bootstrapping the supply of RPC and indexing providers
▶️ Is completely permssionless and can can quickly support also smaller rollups
13/
▶️ Making any API much faster, more resilient and cost-effective
▶️ Abstract away multi-chain data infrastructure and eliminate the fragmentation we see today across L2s and rollups
▶️ Creates sustainable incentives for long-term node decentralization
14/ Pretty wild, right?
The modular expansion is in full swing and @lavanetxyz is set to position itself at the core of this potentially cycle-defining narrative.
15/ @CelestiaOrg and the modular stack make it easy to build blockchains/rollups.
Many of them will probably build with @lavanetxyz too, as it makes it easy to access blockchains/rollups.
No point having an great house if there are no doors.
16/ To support @CelestiaOrg builders & users @lavanetxyz will integrate RPC support for Celestia, powering scalable and reliable node infrastructure.
RPC and API modules for any future sovereign rollup built on Celestia can be permissionlessly added and supported on Lava.
17/ This will make @lavanetxyz the go-to node provider for the modular ecosystem.
Ok cool, but how can I get involved?
Good question, anon. Let me explain.
18/ @lavanetxyz recently announced the launch of Testnet Phase 2, which introduces new improvements in the evolution towards modularity.
There are now more ways than ever to get involved in the Lava ecosystem, with roles available for developers, node operators & wallet-users.
19/ Testnet Phase 1 was launched in February 2023 and saw the announcement of the Lava thesis for decentralized RPC.
Since then, 300+ node operators have joined Lava, serving over 2bn+ RPC relays to developers and dapps on 30+ chains.
20/ Lava Phase 2 is the next step towards Mainnet.
So let's have a closer look at how you can get involved! 🌋👇
21/ 👨💻 Developers
▶️ Get Lava-powered RPC via the Gateway UI or sync their SDK keys via the Gateway for fast, peer-to-peer blockchain access.
▶️ Build on 30+ chains.
▶️ Become a champion and help permissionlessly add new chains & APIs to Lava, to be served by node operators.
22/ 🖥 Node Operators
▶️ Run a node and serving RPC to more developers, using Lava as a distribution channel to reach more dApps & users.
▶️ Power an Incentivized Public RPC and get paid by the participating chain (currently Evmos, Axelar and Near) in the chain's tokens.
23/ 👤 Wallet and Non-Technical Users
▶️ Enjoy a faster, more reliable and scalable web3 experience.
▶️ Change wallet endpoints to @lavanetxyz public endpoints
▶️ Sign-up to the Gateway to get higher rate-limit endpoints
▶️ Create Lava content and/or join community calls
24/ Soon, non-technical users will have more ways to participate in @lavanetxyz.
This will include helping to pick the best providers, similar to how validator delegation works to improve validator selection rate.
I will definitely position myself for a potential airdrop. 🪂
25/ 💎 Bonus Alpha
Lava is modular and can extend to any data infrastructure.
The first service offered to consumers is RPC, which makes sense.
They spent the last year gathering feedback and steadily improving both RPC provider coverage & quality of service perspective.
26/ However, the protocol introduces a new primitive we call “specifications” (specs, for short).
Specs are modules in JSON-format which define the method calls and computational cost for a provider to serve an API.
27/ The @lavanetxyz spec champions programme provides a pathway and incentives for developers to add new specs and services to Lava.
In the future, we might see decentralized oracles, sequencers, indexers and more, all built on @lavanetxyz! 🌋
Don't fade, anon. 👀
That's a wrap! I hope you've found this thread helpful! 🫡
Make sure to follow me @zerokn0wledge_ and @lavanetxyz to stay ahead of the curve on this one! 🌋
Like/Repost of the below post is also highly appreciated! 🙏👇
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What came next · since 01 Feb 2024
Since then
Zero has written 4 more pieces on Lava Network since this one.
- Lava Network: why LAVA at $80M-$85M FDV looks mispricedOn Lava Network
- Lava Network raises $11M: the RPC data access layer of the modular stackOn Lava Network
- Lava Network: decentralized RPC as the data access layer for rollupsOn Lava Network
- Lava RPC airdrop guide: why decentralized RPC matters and how to set it upOn Lava Network