The blockchain trilemma: optimizing for security, scalability, and decentralization, has been raging for years. It’s kept the industry’s brightest minds awake at night, inspired an array of new chains sporting novel consensus mechanisms, and spawned a thriving multi-chain universe.
Today, developers are blessed with a plethora of chains to choose from, most boasting greater security, scalability, and decentralization than their predecessors. With varying levels of throughput, speed, and interoperability, each new network offers differing features, benefits, and trade-offs.
DeFiChain is one such offering, providing an ecosystem for flourishing decentralized finance applications. Developers seeking a playground for deploying their dApps have a wealth of options on DeFiChain, combining Bitcoin’s security with the speed and scalability of a next-generation blockchain. Furthermore, with the upcoming DeFi Meta Chain (DMC), they will have all the tooling they need to easily build EVM-compatible dApps.
What’s DeFiChain?
DeFiChain is a blockchain network that’s designed for decentralized finance. It combines a highly scalable and high-speed protocol with a high degree of decentralization, making it suitable for routing high-value transactions and holding significant TVL. Use cases envisioned for DeFiChain include lending, trading, non-collateralized debt, and asset tokenization.
Features include:
- Non-Turing-complete chain optimized for simplicity, rapid throughput, and security
- More than 10,000 community-run nodes secured with staked $DFI
- Proof-of-Stake consensus coupled with the security and immutability of Bitcoin
DeFiChain’s decision to anchor its blockchain to Bitcoin is unusual but not without precedent, RSK pioneered this move. DeFi on Bitcoin is an untapped market with massive potential if implemented properly. DeFiChain saves its most recent Merkle tree to the Bitcoin blockchain every few minutes, providing an immutable transaction record.
DeFiChain is not a general-purpose blockchain. This means that commands outside the basic set of functions are not allowed. This reduces the attack surface for smart contracts, creating a safer run-time environment.
Further information on DeFiChain’s architecture can be found in its technical whitepaper. As for the benefits of building on DeFiChain, take your pick from any of the following:
- High throughput for all transactions
- Safer, more secure blockchain specifically for DeFi
- The rapid development of dApps for decentralized finance, with the upcoming DeFi Meta Chain
- Reliable governance
Developers interested in getting started on DeFiChain can find all the needed resources here.
DeFi Meta Chain
Reasoning that two chains are better than one, DeFiChain is preparing to launch a second blockchain this year to push the limits of what’s possible in DeFi. DeFi Meta Chain (DMC) is an upcoming layer-2 EVM blockchain with Proof of Anchor consensus built as an extension to the native non-Turing complete DeFiChain.
DeFi Meta Chain will allow for the expansion of use cases for the native DeFiChain while maintaining its core principles of fast, secure, intelligent, transparent, and decentralized financial services. It allows for the stability of the native DeFiChain while gaining the flexibility to achieve true Web3 compatibility. The DeFi Meta Chain is what makes building advanced dApps and smart contracts possible without limitations.
DMC will allow developers to access tools, infrastructure, smart contracts, and support from other ecosystems via the EVM environment. Whereas DeFiChain is non-Turing complete, DMC is a Turing complete L2. As a result, any code bases that have already been deployed within web3 can be used on the DeFi Meta Chain. A full stack of web3 services and projects will be integrated with DMC, including wallets, NFT projects, metaverses, and existing dApps.
As an L2, DeFi Meta Chain will support ultra-low cost transactions, ideal for high volume dApps, and will connect to the thriving layer-2 ecosystem. This year will see its constituent parts slotted into place, including a testnet, hackathon, launchpad, and, crucially, a $100M incubator program.
High Expectations
2023 is shaping up to be a big year for DeFi, whose developers have been significantly stung by accusations of failure to innovate over the last two years. Expectations are high that new use cases will emerge this year, including smarter liquidity protocols, better interoperability, safer bridges, and the return of yield farming, albeit in a more sustainable form.
It’s also shaping up to be a big year for DefiChain, which will soon boast two interconnected networks where developers can put its capabilities to the test. In addition, the launch of DeFi Meta Chain, with its web3-ready credentials, will add yet another contender to the burgeoning L2 sector. With the promise of hackathons and incentivized developer programs, there will be plenty of reasons to consider building on DeFi Chain this year.
