Smart Contracts

Cardano's Chang Hard Fork Update

Wednesday. August 21 at 7:00 PM

1 min. read

Cardano's Intersect organization has proposed the Chang hard fork for implementation on Aug. 27, pending a final decision on Aug. 23. The Node 9.1 upgrade marked the final step before the hard fork, with 80% of stake pool operators adopting it. However, only 34% of exchanges have upgraded, below the 80% target. The Chang hard fork will bring significant changes to Cardano's software, making it incompatible with previous versions. This upgrade is crucial for the network's journey towards the Voltaire era, allowing ADA holders to participate in governance decisions. The PlutusV3 cryptographic primitive will enhance smart contracts and data security. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson views this upgrade as a milestone in the industry's history, aiming to create a decentralized civilization. The report also highlights Cardano's energy-efficient consensus mechanism and its resilience against DDoS attacks.

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Enhancing DApp Development with Arbitrum Stylus

Wednesday. September 4 at 1:00 AM

Offchain Labs, the original developer of Arbitrum blockchain and Stylus, has launched Arbitrum Stylus mainnet, a backward-compatible virtual machine aimed at simplifying decentralized app (DApp) development for Web3. Stylus enables developers of varying coding skills to create on Arbitrum using familiar WebAssembly (WASM)-compatible languages, fostering the creation of powerful Web3 applications with low gas fees. Ed Felten, co-founder of Offchain Labs, highlighted how Stylus merges EVM and traditional programming languages like Rust, C, and C++, offering multi-language support to encourage developers to leverage the most suitable tools. Stylus programs have shown superior performance compared to EVM-based programs, enabling more transactions within the gas limit and reducing costs. Offchain Labs plans to integrate protocols like ZK-proofs into Arbitrum to enhance efficiency and reduce costs, paving the way for advanced DeFi applications in the future.

Smart Contracts

Ripple Introduces Smart Contracts to XRP Ledger Developer Ecosystem

Tuesday. September 3 at 2:30 PM

Ripple has revealed plans to incorporate smart contracts into the XRP Ledger (XRPL) developer ecosystem, aiming to offer a wide range of benefits for users, builders, and entrepreneurs. The introduction of smart contracts is expected to enhance XRPL's capabilities and attract developers to explore its expanded features. The feature is scheduled to launch in the XRPL Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) sidechain in the near future, with potential availability on the XRPL mainnet. While still in the research phase, Ripple is seeking input from the community and collaborating with DeFi developers to optimize the design specifics. By partnering with blockchain firm Peersyst, Ripple aims to increase the appeal of XRPL to developers and accelerate the integration of smart contracts into the mainnet by 2025.

Smart Contracts

Reshaping Modern Computation with Buterin's 'Glue and Coprocessor' Model

Tuesday. September 3 at 12:30 AM

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin proposed the adoption of a new computational model called 'glue and coprocessor architecture' to enhance efficiency and security in technology. This model divides tasks into a flexible 'glue' component and specialized 'coprocessors,' optimizing performance by offloading intensive tasks to dedicated hardware. Buterin illustrated how this architecture could benefit Ethereum's Virtual Machine (EVM), AI, and cryptography, improving efficiency without compromising versatility. By separating computations between general logic and specialized modules, developers can enhance performance and security in various fields. The adoption of this model is expected to democratize technology innovation, fostering collaboration and leading to more efficient and secure computing solutions. With Buterin's endorsement, the 'glue and coprocessor' architecture is poised to revolutionize modern computation, offering a new path for technological advancement.

Smart Contracts

Ethereum Development Skyrockets with Surge in Researchers

Friday. August 30 at 9:00 PM

The number of researchers behind Ethereum development has surged by over 2,100% in the past five years, indicating positive growth for the second-largest blockchain network. Starting with just 25 researchers in Q1 2019, the team peaked at around 550 in Q1 2024. This growth was highlighted by Emre Caliskan in an Aug. 29 post. Despite a slight dip to 450 developers in Q2 2024, Ethereum's innovation remains strong. With 2,788 full-time developers and over 8,865 total developers as of July 1, Ethereum leads in monthly active developers. However, it saw a 10% decrease in yearly developers. In terms of contract deployers, Ethereum ranks sixth with 127,702 monthly deployers, while Base blockchain leads with over 862,000. Ether's price surged by over 1,200% in five years, reaching above $2,509. Analysts predict a potential rally to $3,000 by October.

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