Nexus: The Ambitious “World Supercomputer”
Nexus is positioning itself as “the world supercomputer,” showcasing its lofty goals as it completes its final testnet phase prior to its mainnet launch expected later this year. Access to the network is simple; anyone can participate with just a few clicks from any device, contributing computing resources to help establish what Nexus refers to as “a verifiable world.”
Understanding the Concept of a “World Supercomputer”
The term “world supercomputer” might raise questions. According to CEO and founder Daniel Marin, the initiative aims to create the largest distributed computing system ever. “We’re aggregating computing power to develop a blockchain with an innovative architecture,” Marin explained to Blockworks.
Innovative Integration of Blockchain Ideas
Nexus incorporates familiar concepts from other leading blockchain technologies while merging them into a cohesive, distinctive layer-1 solution. Like the Mina Protocol, Nexus seeks to distill all blockchain states into a single concise proof. However, instead of utilizing recursive SNARKs like Mina for constant-size proofs, Nexus employs its RISC-V-based zkVM to manage significantly more intricate processes, including artificial intelligence inference. The choice of a RISC-V zkVM mirrors RISC Zero’s approach, allowing for general-purpose Rust code to be verifiably proven, but Nexus integrates this virtual machine as an inherent part of its blockchain rather than as an auxiliary service.
Future Directions for Ethereum and Nexus
Ethereum itself may eventually adopt similar strategies. To ensure data availability, Nexus plans to implement a sampling strategy akin to Celestia’s modular data availability model. Its consensus mechanism will transition from the widely-used CometBFT (previously Tendermint) to HotStuff-2, aligning it with protocols used by Aptos and Sui. These consensus systems facilitate rapid finality, essential for coordinating distributed proving tasks globally.
Decentralized Computing at Its Core
Nexus integrates a decentralized compute cloud directly into its layer-1 architecture, transforming each connected device into a component of a singular, verifiable computer centered around an Incrementally Verifiable Computation (IVC) machine. This virtual machine produces concise proofs for each computational step, integrates these proofs through DAG-style propagation, and consolidates them into a singular Universal Proof. The Stwo (Circle STARK) prover is employed for this process.
Scalability Through Innovative Technology
This advanced architecture theoretically allows for horizontal scalability, meaning that each additional node enhances the network’s throughput. In the realm of cryptography, Nexus boasts the participation of prominent experts such as Jens Groth and Michel Abdalla, reinforcing its reputation in zero-knowledge and blockchain research.
Progress and User Engagement
Recent developments show that last week, Nexus activated its third and final testnet, with its mainnet launch aimed for the third quarter of the year. The network claims to have over 2.1 million unique users across its multiple testnets, supported by Sybil detection mechanisms. Currently, approximately 4,000 accounts are active, according to Nexus’ block explorer.
Aiming Beyond Current Blockchain Limitations
For Marin, the purpose of Nexus is to transcend the constraints of existing blockchains. “It’s impossible to create any significant application today,” he asserted. Marin emphasized, “Our premise from the beginning has been that programming on a blockchain or a zkVM should feel as seamless as coding on your personal computer.”
Speed Over Decentralization in Initial Phases
The protocol is prioritizing speed over decentralization at this stage. “We aspire to be decentralized in the long run, but at present, we don’t intend to be decentralized at all; in fact, it’s quite the opposite,” Marin added, acknowledging that this perspective might not sit well with everyone.
Future Aspirations in the AI Landscape
Looking ahead, the Nexus team plans to target quarterly releases, aiming to provide infrastructure that caters to the AI era. “We want users to feel empowered, as if they are building the future. We want them to be part of a community where they can see other applications in the ecosystem, engage in quests, and enjoy the experience,” Marin concluded.
